Cong had set up illegal nursing council, says health minister
CHANDIGARH: Haryana health minister Anil Vij on Monday said the previous Congress government had set up ‘illegal nursing council’ that gave nod to set up nursing schools in “lieu of money”, sparking an acrimonious war of words even as the stunning allegation initially left the Congress cornered.
The minister, who also sought a CBI probe into what he said the “whiff of corruption emanating” from the way licences were given during the 10-year rule of the Congress to set up nursing schools, was responding to a calling attention notice of Congress legislature party (CLP) leader Kiran Choudhry.
The CLP leader had raised the issue of the government not conducting examination of nursing students pursuing ANM and GNM diplomas since 2014.
“It is very shameful for the government that it is unable to conduct the exam of these girls of the state in spite of its ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’slogan,” the CLP leader said, kicking the hour-long debate in which the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), the principal opposition party led by Abhay Chautala also participated and took potshots at the health minister.
The CLP leader said 60,000 students were in the dark despite these girls taking up the matter with the chief minister, health minister and education minister. “Fake assurances were given to them and no step was taken to conduct the exam,” Choudhary said, drawing a sharp reaction from the minister.
“The Congress had set up fake nursing council...It was an illegal council having all the members from Punjab, except one from Haryana. The Congress played with the future of these girls,” Vij said even as the Congress retaliated saying the minister was making a “false statefalse. ment” and without holding any inquiry.
“Licences were given to start nursing schools during the Congress rule illegally — without any law,” Vij reiterated.
At this, leader of the opposition Abhay Chautala asked Vij what action he had taken against those “involved in this scam.” He demanded a probe into the matter. Both the INLD and the Congress were on their feet and hit out at Vij for allegedly making a statement without any probe. While Abhay sought apology from the minister, the Congress MLAs said Vij’s allegation was “This matter should be handed over to the CBI...,” Vij said as he came under intense attack from the opposition parties. According to Vij, there are 168 ANM/GNM nursing schools in Haryana having 6,133 seats. He said examination has been held for 58,004 students of ANM/ GNM courses for the academic session 2011-12 to 2015-16.
“Now, 7078 students will appear for the examination of 2015-16 (supplementary) and 2016-17 (main) in October 2018 and the examination will be conducted by Pt. BD Sharma University of Health Sciences Rohtak. The result will be declared by
› Licences were given to start nursing schools during the Congress rule in lieu of money.
ANIL VIJ, health minister
December,” he said.
INLD WALKOUT OVER ACTION AGAINST ROADWAYS STAFF
Having participated in the discussion on calling attention notices, Abhay demanded the government should deal sympathetically with the transport department employees who participated in the recent strike.
As the INLD leader began raising hosts of issues, the speaker Kanwar Pal reminded Chautala that he should raise such issues during the Zero Hour. Transport minister Krishan Lal Panwar interjected, listing out the steps government had taken to fulfil the demands of the employees.
The INLD MLAs were on their feet, while Chautala alleged that the government was not allowing them to raise issues of public importance and staged a symbolic walk out from the House. Immediately, all the INLD MLAs came back to their seats.
2 BILLS PASSED
The House passed the YMCA University of Science And Technology, Faridabad (Amendment) Bill, 2018, and the Haryana Vishwakarma Skill University (amendment) Bill-2018 without discussion.