New Delhi: After over nine women lost their lives as their sterilisation surgeries went wrong in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the state Chief Minister Raman Singh to thoroughly investigate the matter.
In an official statement Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said that PM Modi feels sorrow for the unfortunate incident. Modi, who left for Myanmar in the morning to attend ASEAN and East Asia summit, called up Singh to inquire about the tragedy.
The PMO's statement on social networking website Twitter appeared as: “ The PM spoke to Chhattisgarh CM @drramansingh on the unfortunate tragedy in Bilaspur. The PM expressed concern over the tragedy.”
The PM spoke to Chhattisgarh CM @drramansingh on the unfortunate tragedy in Bilaspur. The PM expressed concern over the tragedy.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 11, 2014
The PMO further tweeted: “The PM has asked @drramansingh to ensure a thorough investigation & action in the entire issue.”
The PM has asked @drramansingh to ensure a thorough investigation & action in the entire issue.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 11, 2014
Over eight women died and 52 others have been hospitalised due to the botched procedure at a government-organised camp.
Earlier in the day, Bilaspur Collector Siddharth Komal Pardeshi said, "Around 60 women were admitted to different hospitals after they complained of complications following sterilisation surgery at the camp held at a private hospital in Pendari village on outskirts of Bilaspur town on Saturday."
Taking action against the defaulters, Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh today suspended four top health officials over the deaths, while a police complaint was lodged against the surgeon who performed the operations.
Singh also announced compensation of 400,000 rupees for each of the families of those women who died.
Sterilisation is one of the most popular methods of family planning in India, where the government provides cash and other incentives to try to control the country's billion-plus population.
(With Agency inputs)
