CPI(M) to launch agitation against VMRT-JSS MoU

Shimla, Nov 7 (UNI) The Himachal CPI(M) today charged the BJP government with ''cheating the public'' by transferring the Vivekanand Medical Research Trust (VMRT) to the Jai Prakash Industries and declared that it would launch an agitation against the move.

In a meeting of CPI(M) state secretariat held here, the party leaders unanimously opposed the recently signed MoU between Himachal government and Jai Parkesh Sewa Sansthan (JSS) Trust, under which the number of trustees was extended from five to 15.

After the meeting, CPI (M) state Secretary, Rakesh Singh described the move as a ''sell out'' to the JP Industries saying that almost Rs 25 crore from various government and public funds, had already been pumped into the VMRT under the name of a medical college to be established in Palampur.

Moreover, a sprawling 41 acre plot was given to the VMRT at the rate of just Re 1 for a lease of 99 years, on the pretext of providing free quality health care for the people but now the trust has been handed over to JP free-of-cost to ''mint money'' and the BJP owes an explanation on this count, the CPI (M) has stated.

The VMRT was set up in March 2001 to run a Medical College and a ''superspeciality'' Hospital in Palampur, which was later converted into''Kaya Kalp'' therapy hospital and finally now it has been pushed on ''privatisation'' track, which was ''shocking'', the CPIM stated.

Demanding that the ''unethical'' deal be scrapped, the CPI(M) declared that it would mobilise popular support against this ''anti-people'' move.

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