AAP Government Faces Criticism Over Poor State of Hospitals from Its Own Legislators

On Tuesday, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government came under sharp criticism from its own lawmakers over the poor condition of state-run hospitals. Dharamkot legislator Devinderjeet Singh Laddi Dhose questioned the Health Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, asking if his constituency was “part of Pakistan” due to the poor allocation of doctors. Dhose raised concerns about the allocation of newly recruited doctors, highlighting that his district Moga received only four out of 225 new doctors, while Malerkotla was assigned 28 doctors. He demanded immediate action on the issue.

Before Dhose, AAP’s Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh challenged the Health Minister’s claims regarding the posting of doctors and paramedical staff in Sector 69 and Saneta village dispensaries. Singh had been requesting staff for months after the completion of construction, and after the minister claimed staff had been posted, the MLA urged verification of the claim.

Similarly, Shutrana MLA Kulwant Singh Bazigar highlighted the lack of doctors at three hospitals in his constituency. Congress Shahkot MLA Hardev Singh Laddi also raised concerns about the shortage of doctors in three hospitals in his area.

Congress’s Phagwara legislator, Balwinder Dhaliwal, criticized the student-to-teacher ratio formula used for the recent teacher promotions, which caused over 600 teachers to give up their promotions due to postings in distant locations. Shiromani Akali Dal legislator Manpreet Ayali pointed out the shortage of principals in government colleges.

These complaints reflect growing dissatisfaction within the AAP government over healthcare and staffing issues across Punjab.