Punjab gets NHRC notice over ‘move’ to shut Moga health centre

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday issued notice to the Punjab government over a reported move to shut down the Moga primary health centre (PHC) due to lack of power supply and sought its response within two weeks.

Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report that the health centre at Sekha Kalan village in Moga district has been operating without power for 21 years, the NHRC issued notice to Vini Mahajan, Punjab’s principal secretary, health and family welfare.

“According to the report, after efforts to restore power supply to the PHC failed, the health department in Moga asked the state government to close it as it was difficult for doctors and para-medical staff to work there,” the NHRC said in a statement.

“The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise the serious issue of violation of human rights of villagers. The state government has been given two weeks to respond,” it added.