Press release
Sukhu dying to take credit for BJP’s development work: Anurag Thakur
May 23, 2024, Sujanpur/Dharampur, Himachal:
“Chief Minister Sukhu’s selective memory seems to be failing him as he spreads misinformation and propaganda regarding the establishment of the Hamirpur Medical College,” stated Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth and Sports Affairs today. “It’s evident that Sukhu is eager to claim credit for the development work undertaken by the BJP. Instead of engaging in such blatant falsehoods, he should focus on delivering results for the people during his tenure. With his administration failing to fulfill any of its promises over the past 16 months, Sukhu’s attempts to appropriate BJP’s accomplishments ring hollow and reflect poorly on his leadership.”
He said this while addressing a series of public meetings in Sujanpur and Dharampur today.
“Congress is set to face a significant defeat in the upcoming Hamirpur Lok Sabha election on June 4,” stated Shri Anurag Thakur. “The Chief Minister is acutely aware of this reality. As their credibility continues to plummet and their support base wanes, the Congress party has resorted to falsehoods as a desperate tactic. Today, they fabricate lies about medical colleges and railways, and come June 4, they’ll likely cry foul over EVMs. With the support of the public, we, under the leadership of the Modi government, facilitated the approval and initiation of the medical college project in Jolsappad. We secured the land, laid the foundation stone, and commenced construction. We will also be the ones to inaugurate it. However, the Chief Minister’s penchant for falsehoods has led him to hysterically spread misinformation about the medical college on every street corner.”
Shri Anurag Thakur provided a comprehensive timeline regarding the Hamirpur Medical College, stating, “Allow me to refresh Sukhu ji’s memory. On March 1, 2014, a 100-bed Maternal-Child Hospital was inaugurated at Zonal Hospital Mandi. During the ceremony, the then Union Health Minister, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, laid the foundation stone for a block worth Rs 17 crore. He also announced the establishment of two medical colleges in Chamba and Nahan, along with two trauma centres and one burn centre for Himachal Pradesh. Notably, this announcement, made before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, lacked any budgetary allocation, indicating its political nature. Furthermore, he inaugurated the incomplete Super Specialty Hospital block of Tanda Medical College via video conferencing due to adverse weather conditions, with no mention of the Hamirpur Medical College at the time.”
Shri Anurag Thakur highlighted, “On March 5, 2014, the State Cabinet convened and resolved to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Health Ministry. However, the timing proved unfortunate as the Election Commission of India concurrently announced the Lok Sabha general elections, triggering the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct. Consequently, the significance of the cabinet meeting and the MoU was nullified. Following the elections, with the formation of the NDA government, the Congress had no opportunity to advance any substantive measures. Consequently, the declaration of these two medical colleges remained unresolved until I pursued the matter further.”
Shri Anurag Singh Thakur elaborated, “Through persistent advocacy, including personal meetings and extensive correspondence at various levels, I successfully secured funding not only for Chamba and Nahan Medical Colleges but also ensured the inclusion of Dr. Radhakrishnan Medical College, Hamirpur, in the list of 157 new medical colleges slated for phased opening. Despite continuous efforts by myself and the Modi government, Sukhu ji has persistently misled the public regarding the medical college issue since March 1, 2014. Under the leadership of respected Shri JP Nadda ji, as Union Health Minister in 2015, the Modi government approved the establishment of the medical college in Jolsappad, allocating a budget of Rs 174 crore for its commencement. However, the then-state Congress government neglected the project for 2.5 years, failing even to provide the necessary land. Upon the formation of the BJP government in 2017, under the leadership of Shri Jairam Thakur Ji, the land was promptly allocated, paving the way for further progress. Following the acquisition of land and requisite approvals from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the foundation stone for Dr Radhakrishnan Medical College, Hamirpur, was laid on June 6, 2018, in the presence of Shri Jairam Thakur Ji, Shri J.P. Nadda ji, and myself, alongside other dignitaries. The Government of India has now disbursed its entire share, amounting to 90% of the original project cost, totalling ₹170.10 crores. Additionally, equitable funding has been ensured for Chamba and Nahan Medical Colleges, as evidenced by the Health Ministry’s press release dated October 24, 2021, outlining an allocation of approximately Rs 17691.08 crore for 157 medical colleges, equating to ₹189 crore per college. Dr. Radhakrishnan Medical College is operational today, boasting an intake capacity of 120 MBBS seats since the academic session 2018-19.”
Shri Anurag Thakur concluded, “In furtherance of bolstering and upgrading Government Medical Colleges, the Central Government sanctioned the creation of 20 EWS MBBS seats in Dr Radha Krishnan Medical College on January 23, 2023, with an allocated amount of Rs. 24 crores. To date, the Central Government has disbursed Rs 5.4 crore out of its share of ₹21.6 crore to the state government. Therefore, Chief Minister Sukhu should cease disseminating falsehoods regarding Hamirpur Medical College. Congress has consistently obstructed our developmental initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, but the public is well aware of this and will respond fittingly in the upcoming elections.”
