Babulal Marandi slams Jharkhand Govt after medicines found dumped in Latehar
Ranchi, June 4: Leader of the Opposition and BJP state president Babulal Marandi has sharply criticised the Jharkhand government after government-supplied medicines…
Ranchi, June 4: Leader of the Opposition and BJP state president Babulal Marandi has sharply criticised the Jharkhand government after government-supplied medicines were allegedly found dumped in a forested area near Manika in Latehar district.
The medicines were reportedly discovered between Manika Police Station and the Do Muhana River, triggering questions about the handling of public healthcare resources and accountability within the health department.
‘Not Just Medicines, But Patients’ Rights Were Dumped’
Marandi said the incident exposes serious shortcomings in Jharkhand’s healthcare system.
“It is not merely medicines that have been scattered on the streets, but also the poor patients’ right to treatment, the public’s tax money, and the government’s accountability,” he said.
He alleged that while patients in government hospitals struggle to access medicines and basic healthcare services, government-supplied drugs worth lakhs of rupees are being dumped instead of being distributed to those in need.
Questions Raised Over Health Infrastructure
Sharing a video of the alleged incident on the social media platform X, Marandi claimed that patients across Jharkhand continue to face shortages of medicines, doctors, beds and diagnostic facilities.
“Today, poor patients in Jharkhand are wandering from one government hospital to another in search of medicines. In some places, there are no doctors, in others there are no beds, and elsewhere diagnostic facilities are lacking. Yet medicines worth lakhs are being thrown on the roadsides. What kind of healthcare system is this?” he asked.
ALSO READ: Jharkhand HC vacation bench disposes of 853 cases in 18 days
Targets Health Minister Irfan Ansari
The BJP leader also aimed at Health Minister Irfan Ansari, accusing him of focusing more on publicity than on addressing healthcare challenges.
Marandi alleged that instead of responding to public concerns, the government often resorts to threats of legal action against critics.
“When journalists report issues, the opposition raises questions, or people highlight failures on social media, attempts are made to silence them through threats of lawsuits and legal action. Is asking questions a crime in a democracy?” he said.
Demands Accountability and Action
Seeking answers from the government, Marandi asked how medicines meant for patients ended up being dumped and who was responsible for the alleged negligence.
He questioned whether any officials had been held accountable and demanded transparency in the matter.
“Hospitals do not run on social media reels and cameras. Patients are not treated through rhetoric. The truth cannot be hidden through intimidation,” he said.
Marandi also posed questions to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, asking how long the lives of poor patients, taxpayers’ money and the state’s healthcare system would continue to be subjected to such neglect.
