RJD MP Lambasts Bihar Government's ₹314 Crore Mumbai Bhavan Project
In a scathing critique of the Bihar government's priorities, RJD MP from Buxar, Sudhakar Singh, on Friday denounced the decision to construct a Bihar Bhavan in Mumbai at an estimated cost of ₹314 crore. The parliamentarian labeled the move as "utterly shocking and insensitive", particularly in light of the state's ongoing healthcare challenges.
Questioning Government Priorities Amid Healthcare Crisis
Singh raised serious concerns about the government's allocation of resources, emphasizing that while people in Bihar are dying due to cancer, spending hundreds of crores on an external building appears unjustified. "The question is simple. Why spend so much money on a building when patients are struggling to survive without treatment?" he questioned, highlighting the apparent disconnect between administrative decisions and ground realities.
The Absence of Cancer Super-Specialty Facilities in Bihar
The MP pointed out what he described as the biggest tragedy of Bihar's healthcare system—the continued lack of a dedicated cancer super-specialty hospital. This deficiency forces thousands of cancer patients from the state to undertake arduous journeys to metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, or Chennai for essential medical care. "This is not a choice but a compulsion. Ordinary people have nowhere else to go," Singh lamented, underscoring the desperation faced by affected families.
Alternative Use of Funds for Healthcare Infrastructure
Singh argued that the substantial ₹314 crore earmarked for the Mumbai Bhavan could instead be utilized to establish a modern cancer super-specialty hospital within Bihar. Such an initiative would:
- Eliminate the need for patients to travel long distances
- Reduce the burden of crowded train journeys on already vulnerable individuals
- Prevent loss of lives due to delayed treatment and logistical hurdles
Dismissing Government's Justification for the Bhavan
While the government claims that the Bihar Bhavan in Mumbai will assist patients seeking treatment in the city, Singh dismissed this rationale. He alleged that the facility would primarily benefit officials, politicians, and the privileged class, rather than the common citizen. "A poor cancer patient is already crushed by the cost of medicines, tests, and surgeries. Treatment in Mumbai is beyond their reach," he stated, questioning the accessibility of such infrastructure for those in genuine need.
Critique of Healthcare Policy and Systemic Failures
The parliamentarian further criticized the government's approach, suggesting that instead of improving healthcare within Bihar, the administration has accepted that patients must be sent outside the state. "This policy is inhumane and exposes the collapse of the healthcare system," he alleged, calling for a reevaluation of priorities.
Call for Investment in Local Medical Infrastructure
Singh concluded by asserting that if the government genuinely cared about patients, the funds would be directed toward:
- Developing comprehensive cancer hospitals
- Establishing super-specialty medical colleges
- Modernizing district hospitals across Bihar
This, he argued, would create a sustainable healthcare ecosystem within the state, reducing dependency on external facilities and ensuring timely medical intervention for all residents.
