Newly appointed West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Minister Sharadwat Mukherjee has stated that several unanswered questions surrounding the RG Kar rape-and-murder case will be revisited and investigated. Mukherjee made these remarks after assuming office on Wednesday.
Minister Takes Charge
Mukherjee, the Bidhannagar MLA, expressed delight that Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari personally announced his name as the state's health minister. He noted that the announcement coincided with the 12th anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure, adding that it was a double blessing for him. Mukherjee said he would fulfill the responsibility entrusted to him by the people and the chief minister.
After taking charge at Swasthya Bhavan, the minister outlined his immediate priorities, which include eliminating corruption and nepotism from the health department. He remarked that now is the time to correct past mistakes and recalled being pushed out of Swasthya Bhavan when he visited as an opposition member.
RG Kar Case Investigation
Referring to the RG Kar incident, Mukherjee said the case remains deeply etched in his memory. He alleged that evidence and information were destroyed and that there are still many unanswered questions, including who committed the crime, under whose instructions it was done, why it happened, and how it happened. He emphasized that every one of these questions must be answered.
The minister asserted that all aspects of the case would be examined, including whether instructions came from Kalighat, Lalbari in Lalbazar, the DC Central, the health department, or under the guidance of RG Kar's Sandip Roy. He stressed that whoever is found guilty, including those already accused and still holding positions in Swasthya Bhavan, will face consequences.
Healthcare System Review
Mukherjee added that the government would review shortcomings across the healthcare system and work towards correcting them. He noted the need to examine how the healthcare system reached its present condition and that issues related to medical services, patient care, and doctors' concerns would all be looked into.
The minister pointed out that the health department comprises multiple verticals, each facing distinct challenges. These include the West Bengal Medical Education Service, health centres, nursing services, private medical colleges, private healthcare infrastructure, and the West Bengal Medical Council. He acknowledged that addressing these problems will take time and that a detailed fact-finding exercise will be undertaken to identify shortcomings and gaps. Once identified, corrective measures will be implemented.
