Himachal Health Minister postpones London, France exposure visit after Opp flags son’s name in delegation

Addressing a hurriedly called press conference, Shandil, cited the devastation caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, said, “The tour has been deferred for the time being in view of the current situation of the state”.

The development came hours after former chief minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur attacked the state government over Shandil’s proposed foreign visit. “The entire state is reeling under the impact of the disaster. Neither roads, nor basic facilities like electricity and water have been restored. Patients are running from one hospital to another looking for treatment. Cancer patients have been left stranded mid-treatment because payments under the Himcare scheme have not been cleared. Yet, the Health Department is busy planning a London–Paris trip with family and friends at government expense. This is a shameless government that had promised change in governance,” Thakur said in a post on his Facebook page.

On being asked by the reporters, Shandil accepted that both his son and daughter-in-law were scheduled to travel, but added that they were doing so at the personal expense.

“My son was travelling with me due to health reasons. Family members can travel on their own expense and there is nothing wrong in that,” Shandil said.

As reporters posed more question, Shandil hit back saying that media should focus focus on public issues “rather than reporting on who is travelling abroad and with whom”.

Justifying the purpose of his foreign visit, the minister said that his department want to learn from global best practices and apply them in Himachal Pradesh. “The tour has been postponed not cancelled. We can go on the exposure visit within the next six months. It is always good to learn from the countries, which are ahead of us. Let Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu come, I will discuss the matter with him,” he said.

On being asked that in the official communication, his son was mentioned as an ‘accomplice’, Shandil said that an explanation will be sought from the officer, who drafted the letter.

The delegation that was to accompany Shandil included MLAs Sanjay Ratan and Captain Ranjeet Rana (Rtd), Health Secretary M Sudha Devi, Director of Health Services Dr Gopal Beri, NHM Managing Director Pradeep Thakur, HPMC Managing Director Divyanshu Singhal, Director of Medical Education Dr. Rakesh Sharma, NHM State Programme Officer Dr. Anadi Gupta, and the minister’s son.

The presence of the minister’s son, who, sources said, has retired from the Indian Army, in the delegation drew flak from several quarters with Opposition accusing the Congress government of attempting a “luxury excursion” at public cost.

BJP spokesperson said the inclusion of the minister’s family member in an official delegation raised questions of propriety. “At a time when the state is facing financial stress, such foreign jaunts are unjustified. The government should focus on strengthening local hospitals instead of planning foreign tours,” a senior BJP leader said.

Shandil, however, accused the the BJP of deliberately spreading misinformation about his foreign tour. Stating that despite financial challenges, the Congress government is committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

“We have brought is several reforms. Robotic surgeries have begun at Tanda Medical College and Chamiyana Super Specialty Hospital. During the BJP rule, hospitals had no doctors and no facilities. Today, we have recruited 200 doctors and another 200 are being appointed. Very soon, all paramedical staff, doctors, and specialists will be in place,” Shandil said.