Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday accused the Raman Singh-led Chhattisgarh government of covering up facts in the botched sterilization drive that has claimed the lives of 13 women in the Bilaspur region.
"It's not just a case of negligence; there is also a role of corruption and expired medicines. It is the responsibility of the state government but they are trying to cover up facts," Rahul said at a press conference here, where he met relatives of the deceased.
Expressing his anguish over the incident, Rahul laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of the state administration.
"I'm very saddened by the things they told me. It is the responsibility of the state government and the Health Minister, but they are not accepting it," he added.
In addition to the 13 killed, the botched sterilization drive in Bilaspur left more than 50 women in a critical state, who are currently undergoing treatment at four different hospitals in the region.
The incident sparked widespread outrage for the 'target-based drive' and led to calls for Chief Minister Singh's resignation.
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Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda had assured all possible assistance to the Chhattisgarh Government to tackle the tragedy but defended the drive saying it was a 'promotional programme'.
The state government, meanwhile, has ordered an investigation into the incident and announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh to the kin of the victims.