Development of Barak Valley is as important as that of Brahmaputra Valley: CM Sonowal after inaugurating Rajdeep Roy's hospital

According to the political fraternity of Assam, today is a historical day for Barak Valley and entire Assam. Today, senior BJP leader and son of former MLA late Bimalangshu Roy’s son Rajdeep Roy’s dream project, Jibon Jyoti Institute of Medical Sciences, a 10 storey multi-speciality hospital was formally inaugurated in Silchar. The hospital has been in the news for quite sometime. First the permission to build a 10 storey building caught many eyeballs and then the inauguration event. The private hospital was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in presence of Health, Finance and PWD minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Forest and Environment, Excise and Fishery Minister Parimal Suklabaidya. Not only BJP leadership, heavyweight Congress leader Gautam Roy, all MLAs from Hailakandi and Karimganj region also shared the stage, which indeed makes it a historical moment. Seldom we see such cross party gathering on one stage.

The chairman of the hospital Rajdeep Roy termed this as a dream come true moment. He assured availability of modern facilities, intensive care and quality doctors. He said, “Now people of Barak Valley do not need to rush to Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and other places. This hospital will be able to serve and cure patients in Barak Valley itself.”

Chief Minister Sonowal used the opportunity to reach out to the masses of Barak Valley. “socio-economic and health development of Barak Valley is as important as that of Brahmaputra Valley for Assam government. The government will do its best and support every initiative to uplift medical facilities available in Barak Valley,” said the Chief Minister.

Sonowal also added, “Health is Wealth,” he was of the opinion that only government hospitals singlehandedly cannot provide quality treatment and the private bodies too need to step up. The Chief Minister also used the opportunity to inject a dose of confidence in people petrified due to the NRC proceedings. Sonowal believes there is a racket which is intentionally creating panic among people, he urged people not to react to such malicious attempts. “The state government will stand by each and every citizen of the State and the government would hear those names who would miss out from the final list which will get published in December 2018 to rule out any scope of error.”

Himanta Biswa Sarma also echoed Chief Minister and rated development of Barak Valley as one of government’s top priority. He was of the view that this private hospital will help improve the health condition in entire South Assam and adjoining Northeastern states. Sarma emphasised on Central Government’s Atal Amrit Jojona Scheme which allows patients suffering from critical diseases to avail benefits upto Rs 2 lakh in select pre approved hospitals. Sarma said, “Soon we will get this hospital approved in the list so that people of Barak Valley can avail facilities under the scheme.” So far in Assam over 1200 patients availed benefits of this scheme in government hospital and over 800 in private hospitals.

Sarma also mentioned about Ayushman Bharat Yojona which will offer families with a medical insurance covering upto Rs 5 lakh per family in select pre approved hospitals. The Finance Minister spoke about opening a government dental college in Barak Valley, he said Rs 150 crore medical college project in Karimganj will also start very soon.