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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, April 3: The Delhi Assembly was rocked for the second successive day on Thursday over the question of Apollo Hospital providing free treatment to poor patients. Cutting across party lines, speakers expressed their discontent over Apollo’s free service. The Congress-dominated Opposition sought the constitution of a House committee. This was turned down.
Finally, even when a resolution was passed on the matter, the Opposition created ruckus saying that it was an extremely watered down version.According to Speaker Charti Lal Goel, the resolution moved by Delhi Health Minister Harsh Vardhan had finally read, "The House expresses grave concern over present working of the Apollo Hospital in respect of one-third beds earmarked for the poor patients and desires that the Government continues to see that the agreement is implemented." Speaker Goel had passed this resolution.
According to the Opposition, the resolution had originally read, "The House expresses grave concern over present working of theApollo Hospital in respect of one-third beds earmarked for the poor patients and desires that the Government take immediate steps to see that the agreement is implemented."
Raising the issue during a short-duration discussion, Ram Vir Bidhuri said, "According to the agreement reached between the hospital management and the Delhi Government, the hospital was supposed to provide free treatment to certain number of poor patients. If this condition is not being fulfilled then the allotment of DDA land to the hospital should be immediately cancelled."
