Rupesh Samant

Panaji, Aug 26: Health Minister Vishawajit Rane on Monday said that the discussion around spending of huge sums on treating then chief minister Manohar Parrikar was unwarranted and absurd.

Rane was referring to reports in a section of media that has highlighted that Rs 5.72 crore were spent on the treatment of then CM Parrikar, who was treated for pancreatic ailment.

A report had claimed that huge money was spent on his treatment while state-run Goa Medical College (GMC) was suffering due to financial constraint.

The minister, in a clarification issued, has said that there is no dearth of finance for the health care sector in the State, due to which people’s faith in GMC has been increasing.

He said that the load on the hospital has been increasing, which would be eased after the upcoming Super speciality block near the existing hospital is completed.

“The comparison between the health care sector and money spent on the ministers including former CM Manohar Parrikar for their treatment outside the state is absurd and unwarranted,” Rane said.

“What is the problem if money is spent on the MLAs. Even during the Congress regime, the money was spent on the ailing leaders like then MLA Gurudas Gawas,” he said.

The minister added that “contribution of Manohar Parrikar is huge and it cannot be quantified in terms of money.” “It is the responsibility of the state government to take care of the health of the MLAs and the leaders who work for the people of Goa,” he said.

Rane said that well equipped hospital project getting completed in South Goa’s Margao town. “The District Hospital in South Goa would be completed in time under the leadership of CM Pramod Sawant. The hospital will be a new model and it will have all the facilities so that the people don’t have to travel to GMC for their treatment,” he added.