Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi: Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan today sought a time-bound probe into the deaths of 90 children in BRD Medical College and hospital ,Gorakhpur, and said murder case should be registered against the culprit. Paswan also said it was an “hour of test” for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Paswan, a BJP ally, termed the deaths, many of which were reportedly caused by lack of oxygen, as “heartrending” and noted that the tragedy happened in Adityanath’s constituency.
“I am sure he will take it very seriously and it must be taken so. This is an hour of test for the chief minister,” he told a press conference.
Paswan said there must be a high-level probe and action should be taken within a week.He said condition of government hospitals in UP and several other states is “very bad”.
At least 90 children have died, many due to lack of oxygen, in the hospital in a week.
The Uttar Pradesh government on Saturday suspended the principal of Baba Raghav Das Medical College (BRDMC) Gorakhapur for “negligent behaviour”.
UP’s Minister for Medical Education Ashutosh Tandon announced the action during a press conference after he and Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh took stock of the situation leading to deaths of over 30 children in 48 hours.
“High-level probe, headed by Principal Secretary, is underway. Till then we are suspending the principal of the college with immediate effect,” Tandon said
However, the college principal claims that “he had resigned prior to being suspended”.
Over 90 children died in the state-run BRD Medical College during the last 48 hours. According to official, 17 children died in the neo-natal ward, five in the AES (acute encephalitis syndrome) ward and eight in the general ward.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly monitoring the situation in Gorakhpur and is in constant touch with authorities from the Central and state government.
