AGARTALA, Sep 9 (TIWN): Across Tripura political parties are preparing heavy protests against BJP-IPFT Govt’s inhuman and brutal decision of removing free health service in the state. This decision is also as a part of pre-privatizing era of the state's hospital service. This is first ever that a Govt has taken such brutal and anti-people decision violating the guidelines of Supreme Court. Congress to hold statewide protest at 4 PM today whereas other opposition parties also to hold protests against the decision of the Govt. Media, Common men all are pressing the Govt to change the inhumane decision immediately. Netizens also have slammed the Govt. The No. F.1 (28)-DHS/GS/18 issued by Department of Health and Family Welfare on September 6 announced that the consumers from now have to pay Rs. 20 and Rs. 10 for registration in Out Patient Department (OPD).

Rs. 30 and Rs. 20 for admission in hospital beds need to pay off for all patients. The prices added ICU beds at Rs. 300 for Antodaya Annapurna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries, Rs. 300 for Priority Group consumers and at Rs. 600 for people above the poverty level per day. AC cabins in public hospitals would be charged at Rs. 700 daily. Food would be charged at Rs. 50 per day for APL consumers.

 Tripura Congress leader Subal Bhowmik said that a suffocating situation is existing in the state under the BJP Govt. “Free health service is poor people’s right. Those who go to Chennai and Kolkata they never come to GB hospital or anyother Govt hospital for treatment. Govt hospitals are meant for free service. How can a Govt can be so inhuman and brutal, it is surprising us”, said Bhowmik.

Former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar has written to the incumbent BJP Chief Minister Biplab Deb condemning his Govt’s decision to imposing fees on the patients at the Govt hospitals.

 In the letter Sarkar wrote, “The Health facility was totally free of cost almost and the nature of developmental Govt must fulfill such basic qualities showing humanity to the people. But your Govt’s decision of removal of free medical service is very much inhuman. It is also a massive deprivation to the people of the state and snatching of their rights. Instead of thanking the people who trusted a Govt, rather this Govt imposed economic pressure on the people. Huge numbers of patients will be failed to do treatment in coming days. Thus, I request you to reconsider the issue on the humanitarian ground”.

This decision of the Govt has shocked common men and even the largest section of ruling party supporters have condemned the decision.