Former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today held the Congress government responsible for spread of jaundice in Shimla and adjoining areas, saying it was due to their "irresponsible attitude".
"Panic has gripped the state capital as the government remained a mute spectator even after reports of jaundice cases started pouring in from November. Several people have lost their lives," Dhumal claimed in a statement.
He said the Irrigation and Public Health department and Shimla Municipal Corporation are "squarelyresponsible" for the spread of the disease.
Since these departments are responsible for the situation, government should bear full expenditure of the treatment of jaundice patients and all victims should be adequately compensated, he said.
At a time when urgent steps are needed to control the spread of the disease, the "irresponsible attitude" of the government was "disappointing", Dhumal said.
"What can be a more glaring example of insensitivity on the part of the government, which was holding meetings in the secretariat, instead of taking concrete steps on the ground to combat the disease and instill confidence among the people," he said.
