Bloc fails to block Rural Medical Practitioners Bill,House gives nod

But,by then,the Bill was already placed in the House for passage. Earlier,the Bill was sent to the Assembly standing committee on health,which had suggested several amendments before its passage.

The Bill was being opposed by a section of doctors who demanded changes. Among the nine LF constituents,Forward Bloc was against the passage of the Bill and was supported by the RSP. Both pressed Bose to stall the move initiated by Health Minister Surya Kanta Mishra,saying the Bill’s passage will prove the Left Front government failed to provide healthcare system in rural Bengal for the past 32 years.

The Bill is aimed at meeting the deficiency in healthcare in rural areas,where many of the doctors’ posts are lying vacant.

The issue was discussed in a meeting between the CPM and the Bloc where Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was present along with health minister. Bloc sources said the CM had also agreed the Bill could be stalled.

LF sources said the decision on Wednesday to stall the Bill was not properly communicated to the health minister.

Mishra said before being informed about the decision to stall the Bill,he had already delivered his reply to the debate on it. “I had no option,” the health minister said.

In the evening,after the House was adjourned for nearly 20 minutes,the Bill was passed with all the amendments recommended by the standing committee. The Bill would be sent to the President for consent.