PM should make statement on deaths of kids, swine flu deaths in BJP-ruled states: Cong

New Delhi, Sep 4: Expressing its concern over the increasing number of deaths of children in BJP-ruled states, and the rising deaths due to Swine flu, the Congress today demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in this regard and take action against Health Minister JP Nadda as well as the Chief Ministers of Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Talking to reporters here, AICC media incharge Randeep Surjewala, referring to recent deaths of 49 children in a Farrukhabad hospital due to lack of oxygen, said, 'Inhuman behaviour, faulty treatment and a helpless public -- these have become the hallmarks of the BJP Government at the Centre and in the states. "The latest example is the death of 49 children in the Government Hospital of Farrukhabad, due to lack of oxygen and availability of medicines. At the same time, the number of children who have died in the Gorakhpur tragedy has now risen to 357 in one month. In fact, 13 children died in the last 24 hours in Gorakhpur," Surjewala said. "Further, 86 children died in Banswara, Rajasthan in the last 53 days and the number of children who have died this year has reached 237 till August 2017. In the last 28 days, 133 children died in a Ranchi hospital and in a Jamshedpur Government Hospital, 164 children died due to negligence in the last four months," he said. "In fact, this year till August, the number of children who have died in Government hospitals in Ranchi and Jamshedpur alone is more than 800. Are the BJP Governments at the Centre and in the states not responsible for these deaths. If yes, why has no action been taken till date against the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan," the Congress leader asked. Referring to an increasing number of deaths in the country due to Swine Flu, Mr Surjewala said, 'swine flu has taken the form of an epidemic. Till August 27, 2017, 1260 people lost their lives across the country due to swine flu/, when compared to 265 deaths in 2016. Of this too, a majority of deaths have occurred in BJP ruled states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh." This is a testimony to the incompetence of the BJP Governments On behalf of the 125-cr people of the country, the Congress demands that the PM make a statement on the deaths of children as well as the rising number of Swine flu deaths and take strict against against the Union Health Ministry. He should also take decisive action against the chief ministers of Jharkhand and UP to ensure a halt on the deaths,' the Congress leader said. UNI