10 years on, 3 times cancellation of PGI foundation stone by Centre govt in Ferozepur irks NGOs
In Digital World, laying foundation stone is not problem but the intentions behind it - Dr.Satinder Singh
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, September 25, 2023: The Centre government prestigious project of Rs.500 crore for setting up of PGI Satellite Centre in Ferozepur, of which the laying of foundation stone, despite tall claims, has been postponed three times with one or the other reason, has irked the local NGOs. The project has been hanging fire since 2013 when it was announced by the UPA-II government. The much-hyped project will boost the health facilities in the border region.
In this digital world laying of foundation stone is not the problem and the Centre government politicians should understand the importance of the project and not play with the lives of the people by depriving the advanced health facilities in the border towns.
More surprising is that one time by the Prime Minister, due to a breach in security in January and two times by the Home Minister during July and now in September because of uncertain weather conditions, it has been postponed. On the other hand, the political parties are up in arms to credit for this project. The people of Ferozepur feel themselves as cheated and the feeling has started that the BJP government at the Centre is playing the political cards with the people and making fools of them. All major projects of the centre government are linked with the coming Lok Sabha elections to encash the voters but they are forgetting that people now understand each and every move near the elections and delaying tactics.
Senior Citizens Forum President, Parveen Dhawan said that such a major health project in this border town, which is going to benefit the Malwa belt, who had to run to far off distances for treatment of referred patients, should not be delayed after announcement. Simply, delaying due to laying of foundation stone does not look to be a valid reason in this digital world when a number of projects have been started virtually by the Prime Minister and other senior cabinet Ministers. He said, the constructions of the project should not be delayed as its delay is definitely increasing the construction cost.
Babla, founder of Ferozepur Foundation said, there are incidents when during the last ten years, number of patients have lost their lives being unable to reach at a distance of 250 km at PGI at Chandigarh,
Dr.Satinder Singh, a renowned educationist said, the education and health services are very important for the people of the border area and the start of PGI, which is already delayed for 10 years, should be started without any further loss of time. All the political parties should come up seriously keeping aside the political agendas, for this noble project, as the people of the had been facing a number of challenges like war with Pakistan, floods. Merely delaying laying the foundation stone in this digital world, does not sound good.
An old timer, retired teacher and senior journalist M.L.Tiwari, who himself had to get himself operated from Amritsar due to accident said, the non-availability of advance medical facilities locally, even after 75 years of independence of the country, must be taken as a challenge by the Centre government and its celebrations would be a give a gift to the people of the border town, which will give employment and boost economy of the area besides providing advance medical facilities locally.