India defaults on its National Heroes - Healthcare workers not getting Salaries

Modi government is implementing harsh austerity drive in India and lack of fiscal support to states & local governments in this time of Covid-19 induced economic depression has created chaos in many public institutions. Here i just like the highlight the case of Bara Hindu Rao Hospital. Its the biggest Municipal Hospital in North Delhi & has been at forefront of fight against Covid-19 pandemic along with other Government Hospitals in Delhi. But now the Hospital has stopped treatment of Covid-19 patients as Doctors, Nurses & other hospital staff have gone on Strike. Reason - Non payment of salary since last 4 months. But this is nothing new. The protest against delay & non payment of salaries of Doctors have been going on since many months.

 


 




(Photo - IANS)


The non payment of salaries of doctors is the fault of Central Government. Local & State governments have lost most of their revenue in this pandemic induced economic depression. Local & State Governments do not have the fiscal powers like central government and hence need urgent support from the Center. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister has no concern for well being of common people as can be seen from well established pattern of things. PM didn't care about deaths and financial suffering of people during Demonetization. PM didn't care about the deaths & suffering of migrants who died on highways traveling to their homes on foot during lockdown. PM of course doesn't care about victims of communal violence and hate crimes against minorities. Now we can see that PM doesn't even care about National Heroes and frontline warriors.

When the Pandemic started, Modi government stated that Healthcare workers are the frontline warriors and Heroes risking their lives to serve the country. What does it tell you about this government which does not take care of its Heroes? Recall, that old George Orwell cartoon film - Animal Farm. Our healthcare workers, our heroes, are the characters of Horse & Donkey as depicted in that film.

 


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