Jaipur, Jan 3 (IANS) At a time when the Rajasthan government is facing severe criticism over the deaths of more than 100 children in a hospital in Kota, state Health Minister Raghu Sharma and Transport Minister Pratap Khachriyawas on Friday were given a 'warm welcome' by hospital officials who rolled out a carpet for their visit.
However, later officials had to remove the carpet when the issue became the talk of the town.
When asked, a senior JK Lon hospital employee said that the carpet was spread to "let it dry" and not to welcome the ministers.
Surprisingly, as the children kept dying, no minister visited Kota in over a month's time. However, on Friday after the 105th child died, the two state ministers went to the hospital and the employees instead of updating them on the crisis of staff and hospital equipment were busy welcoming them.
Former Women's Commission chairperson and BJP leader Mamta Sharma was stopped from visiting the hospital by Congress leaders on Friday and she had to return without entering the hospital. Slogans were raised saying "Mamta Sharma wapas jao, wapas jao (Mamta Sharma go back)."
Speaking to the media, Sharma said, "Congress leaders seem ashamed that so many kids died under their tenure and they are thinking how to curb this matter. It is the most shameful act that carpets were spread in hospital to welcome these ministers. When you visit a family on the demise of their member, do you get a red or green carpet welcome?" she asked.
