Rajasthan Assembly Witnesses Heated Clash Over Delayed Right to Health Act Implementation
A fierce and contentious debate erupted in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Thursday during the Question Hour, centering on significant delays in framing essential rules under the state's landmark Right to Health Act. The political confrontation saw state Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar facing intense criticism from opposition Congress members regarding the government's commitment to public health welfare.
Congress Questions Government's Commitment to Health Legislation
Congress MLA Harimohan Sharma initiated the confrontation by questioning why the Right to Health Act, which was officially notified on April 12, 2023, still lacks the crucial rules necessary for its proper implementation. Sharma expressed deep concern that this delay reflects a lack of genuine commitment from the current BJP government toward safeguarding the health rights of Rajasthan's citizens.
Health Minister's Controversial Response Sparks Political Firestorm
Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar's response ignited further controversy when he attributed the legislation to what he described as a political maneuver by the previous Congress government. Khimsar asserted that the Act was rushed through without proper stakeholder consultation as an election tactic rather than a genuine public health initiative.
The minister made several provocative claims during his response:
- He questioned why the Congress government failed to frame the necessary rules during its own governance period
- He asserted that the current BJP government's MAA Scheme, which offers extensive healthcare services, renders the Right to Health Act redundant
- He suggested the legislation was unnecessary given existing healthcare initiatives
Assembly Proceedings Descend Into Chaos and Protest
The tension escalated dramatically when Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully sought urgent clarification on the government's intentions regarding the Act. Jully accused the ruling party of jeopardizing public health through deliberate delays and inadequate implementation of crucial health legislation.
Jully's remarks incited a strong reaction from Congress members, who stormed the well of the House in protest against what they perceived as the government's neglect of health rights. The situation grew so chaotic that Speaker Vasudev Devnani was forced to call for order and warn of possible adjournment if decorum wasn't restored.
Following a brief period of disorder, Congress MLAs returned to their seats but later staged a dramatic walkout in protest against Khimsar's comments, which they characterized as dismissive of citizens' health rights.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot Defends His Signature Legislation
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was instrumental in creating and implementing the Right to Health Act during his administration, strongly criticized Khimsar's assertions. Gehlot defended his government's comprehensive health initiatives with pointed remarks.
"These people could not understand the Chiranjeevi Scheme, nor could they grasp the concept of free medicines," Gehlot stated, referring to his administration's flagship health programs.
Gehlot highlighted several unmatched achievements of the previous Congress government's health initiatives:
- Implementation of completely free and cashless treatment measures
- Provision of free medicines, diagnostics, treatment, and surgeries
- Health insurance coverage extending up to Rs 25 lakh for eligible families
- Creation of a model that influenced other states to adopt similar health welfare measures
Allegations of Medical Lobby Influence and Public Health Neglect
Gehlot went further to allege that the current BJP government was yielding to pressure from what he termed the "medical lobby" and deliberately portraying the Right to Health Act as unnecessary. He expressed particular concern about the impact on vulnerable populations.
"The health minister's comment in the assembly that there was no need for the Right to Health Act was like rubbing salt into the wounds of poor and middle-class families burdened by rising medical expenses," Gehlot emphasized, highlighting the financial strain many families face when accessing healthcare services.
The political standoff reflects deeper ideological differences between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress regarding healthcare governance, with the Right to Health Act becoming a symbolic battleground for competing visions of public health responsibility in Rajasthan.
