Shimla, Aug 10: Members of the Opposition Congress walked out of the Assembly on Tuesday over the handling of bodies of Covid-19 victims that are still lying in various hospitals of the state. Health Minister Dr Rajeev Sehjal while replying to a discussion under rule 62 brought by members of the assembly, said, “There are several unclaimed remains of Covid victims who died in the hospital while undergoing treatment and were cremated by the administration”. Unsatisfied over the reply of the minister, Opposition members alleged the issues raised by them were not addressed which they had raised during the discussion and walked out of the assembly and did not turn up in the house. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur condemning the opposition walkout stated that in his absence from the house, opposition members should not walk out from the assembly and at least hear the entire speech of the minister who was replying to all issues and steps done by the government.
Dr Sahaja said that there were only two oxygen plants at IGMC and Mandi in the state which was extended to eight functional plants in the state. The IGMC oxygen plant running without any problem however a member pointed out serious flaws in the plant. Minister said that samples of 40 Lakh people were taken for Covid testing since the first wave and as many as 2.59 lakh were tested positive. During Congress rule, there were only 69 ventilators in the state Hospital but now when the BJP is in power, there are 800 ventilators out of which 500 were provided under the Prime Minister’s health care scheme, Mr Thakur said. CM claimed that Himachal is also among the few states that have zero wastage of the Covid vaccine. As many as 17 members participated in the discussion which lasted for two days.
