Bhagwant Mann reaches out to PM Modi, says January security breach ‘unfortunate’

Mann also praised Modi for dedicating a “big gift” to the nation, in the form of the 300-bed Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Mohali’s Mullanpur, on the outskirts of Chandigarh. He said he hoped Modi would “give big gifts to Punjab and we will accept those happily”.

Modi, however, did not announce any new projects in Punjab, and said the cancer hospital would benefit patients from Haryana and Himachal Pradesh as well. “I feel contented by dedicating this big gift to you,” he said.
Following the CBI searches at Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s residence, the AAP leadership is engaged in a war of words with the BJP leadership.

Attempting to dial down the tension, Mann said the AAP government in Punjab was “working in tandem with the BSF and the Centre” to maintain law and order. “We will not let the unity and integrity of the country break… we are keeping a hawk’s eye on the enemy (Pakistan), which was using drones to push consignments from across the border and promoting gangsters to vitiate the atmosphere in the state,” he said.

In his address, Modi stressed on holistic healthcare and said his government was working on promoting preventive healthcare, setting up small and modern hospitals in villages, medical colleges and institutions in cities, hiring more doctors and paramedics, making available cheaper medicine, and using the latest technology in healthcare.

Reaching out to cancer patients and their families, Modi said, “We don’t need to be scared of cancer, but we have to fight it. Its treatment is possible and I know many people who have defeated cancer and are living normal lives”. Whatever is needed for this fight, the Union government is making available, he said.

The PM was all praise for Tata Memorial Centre in saving people’s lives.

The foundation stone for the hospital, inaugurated by Modi, was laid in 2013 by his predecessor Dr Manmohan Singh. The hospital was to come up over 50 acres at cost of Rs 450 crore, which eventually escalated to over Rs 660 crore by the time of its completion.

Modi said that the hospital was a “reflection (pratibimb) of commitment made by his government to usher in new era in terms of creating state-of-the-art health infrastructure”. He said what had achieved in seven to eight years in health sector was not done in the previous 70 years.

He listed promoting preventive healthcare; setting up small and modern hospital in villages; establishing medical colleges and institutions in cities; increasing the manpower in terms of doctors and paramedics; making available cheaper medicine; and using technology among steps taken by the Centre .

PM said out of more than 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres across the country, 1.25 lakh are now operational, including 3000 in Punjab. He said number of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had risen to 21 in eight years from seven before 2014. Out of the 40 cancer institutions approved by the BJP-led NDA government, many have become operational.

Modi also credited his government for adding 200 new medical colleges to less than 400 that existed before 2014 and said Centre was planning to open a medical college each district to give boost to healthcare and generate employment.

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme of the Centre, around 3.5 crore got free treatment, which resulted in collective savings to the tune of Rs 40,000 crore, he said, adding 500 medicines used in the treatment of cancer have been made cheaper by 90 per cent at Jan Aushadhi Kendras, resulting in savings of around Rs 1,000 crore on an average annually for patients.

The PM also express gratitude to Punjab “for the freedom fighters, revolutionaries and the patriots” it has produced.

Earlier, terming Punjab as the “finest gem in the ring of country”, Mann said strenuous efforts are being made to restore the pristine glory of the state. He said Punjab was a land of “martyrs, saints and the valiant”. The CM also felicitated the PM with a shawl and a replica of the Golden Temple.

When Mann started his speech, some BJP supporters raised slogans in favour of Modi. They again raised slogans when Mann was addressing the gathering.

Mann while referring to to the hospital said it will help the cancer-affected state, especially Malwa region, in combating the fatal disease effectively. He asserted that though Punjab has played a key role in making the country self-reliant in food production but due to excessive use of pesticides and insecticides Punjabis have fallen prey to cancer disease.

“Punjabis are even afraid of taking the name of cancer as its treatment is too costly. But this centre will go a long way in ensuring accessible and affordable treatment,” he added.