Kadapa: A bandh was observed in the town on Friday protesting against decision by the district administration to shift the government hospital to another place. The bandh call was given by an all-party organisation. The all-party committee members accused the District Collector K V Ramana of acting like a dictator and shifting the hospital without consulting anybody.

Speaking to the media, Badvel MLA Jayaramulu expressed surprise over the decision by the administration to shift the hospital. Though several persons undertook relay hunger strike in protest against the decision, the administration remained adamant, he said. There are 18 private hospitals in Badvel town.

But, there are only two government hospitals in the town. Both the government hospitals should be developed, he said. BJP leader Velishetty Shiva said the Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy turned down the proposal to shift the hospital. Present Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas too promised to ensure that the government hospital remained undisturbed, he said.

But the district administration took unilateral decision suddenly to move the hospital to the premises on which Child and Women Welfare Hospital was located, he said.  CPI leader Veerashekhar said the Health Minister should intervene and stop the shifting of the hospital. The officials and ruling party members should not play with the lives of the people, CPI leader said.

Source: THI