Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik has demanded the resignation of Health Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling following a fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital’s Trauma Care ICU in Cuttack, which claimed 11 lives.
Patnaik criticized the state government’s response, stating that Mahaling must take moral responsibility for this catastrophic lapse in safety oversight.
Speaking in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Patnaik emphasized that the incident highlights the crumbling safety standards in the state’s premier healthcare institution.
Also, he demanded ₹50 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased victim, calling the current ex-gratia inadequate.
“I stand here today with a heavy heart. Yesterday, I visited SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. What I witnessed was not just a scene of a tragic accident, but a stark reminder of the crumbling safety standards in our state’s premier healthcare institution”, maintained Naveen Patnaik.
He further wrote: “The Health Department cannot hide behind ‘inquiries’ while families mourn. A judicial Enquiry is welcome, but it does not absolve the political leadership of its responsibility. Therefore, I demand the immediate resignation of the Health Minister, Dr Mukesh Mahaling. He must take moral responsibility for this catastrophic lapse in safety oversight.”
It is pertinent to mention that the fire, reportedly caused by an electrical short circuit, broke out on Monday, killing 11 patients and injuring several others. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a judicial probe and Rs 25 lakh compensation for the affected families.
