BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 16th March 2025: Former Chief Minister and Politburo member Manik Sarkar today criticized the BJP-led Tripura government for allegedly handing over the education and health sectors to private entities, leading to their deterioration.
Sarkar made these remarks while attending a blood donation camp organized by Left Front youth wings in Bamutia. “There is no alternative to blood, and people cannot buy it from a shop. Without blood, people cannot survive. When medicine doesn’t work, doctors rely on blood transfusions to save lives. In our state, blood donation has become a festival and a competition. Various Left-wing organizations, businessmen, and students actively participate in blood donation, along with eye and body donations. However, what we are witnessing now is a continuous decline in the health sector,” he said.
Sarkar pointed out that hospitals in the state are suffering due to a shortage of doctors, nurses, and health workers, which is essential for proper healthcare services.
“Tripura has enough trained nurses and health workers. During the Left Front government, we established medical colleges and also opened nursing colleges. There was no crisis back then. But now, despite having trained professionals, many remain unemployed. How can a hospital function without adequate doctors and nurses? During our regime, certain essential medicines were provided free of cost to those who couldn’t afford them, and even surgical items were free. But now, patients are being forced to buy everything. The education and health sectors have completely deteriorated,” he stated.
The senior CPIM leader emphasized that education and healthcare form the foundation of a strong society and urged the government to prioritize them. “During our tenure, education was free, and we opened schools in rural areas. But now, there is a severe shortage of teachers, professors, and subject specialists. We have repeatedly requested the government to address these issues, but instead of doing so, they are working towards handing over these crucial sectors to private entities,” he added.
