Not intimidated by false allegations, shall continue to serve people: Jharkhand Health Minister

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, April 24: “I have dedicated my life to the service of the people and whatever allegations are being flung towards me have no truth and are false and baseless. I am not intimidated by these allegations. I belong to the people and will continue to fight for them and none can stop me for serving the people,” observed Jharkhand’s Health and Disaster Management Minister Banna Gupta, at a felicitation programme organized by various social and business organizations of the city at Udani Jain Bhawan in Bistupur on Sunday, April 24.

Banna said that during the three COVID-19 waves, he was infected with coronavirus thrice but the virus failed to cow him down. “I worked fearlessly during these three daunting periods but my commitment to the people kept driving me on,” and added, “Since the beginning I have been fighting for the rights, respect and welfare of the people especially the oppressed and backward classes and I will continue this struggle without any let up till my last day. It is a mockery of sanity that some feudal forces are out to tarnish my image by casting aspersions and unwarranted comments that defy all forms of sanity and as it happens with all kinds of lies, such people would be left to lick their wounds. My brothers, sisters and elders of Jharkhand have witnessed and experienced how relentlessly we have worked during the COVID times.”

The felicitation ceremony was presided by Santosh Agrawal, President of Purvi Singhbhum Zila Agarwal Sammelan (PSZAS) and the proceedings were anchored by the organization’s General Secretary, Sandeep Murarka. The vote of thanks was offered by PSZAS’ Sakchi branch Treasurer, Abhishek Agarwal Goldie.

Various speakers on the occasion were full of appreciation of Jharkhand Minister Banna Gupta’s work especially during the three coronavirus waves. They said that figures spoke of Jharkhand’s achievement during the three viral phases and it even evoked a lot of appreciation from Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya. Some speakers stated that it was at Banna Gupta’s instance that the time limit for the Ram Navami processions had been extended to 10 pm.

Speakers said that the time limit for closure of shops was extended during Dipawali festival, relaxation in COVID protocols during Chhath enabled devotees to offer prayers in the spirit of relaxation. They stated that at the time when the list of local languages ​​was released for government jobs at the district level and Hindi, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Maithili were not included in it, Banna Gupta was the only Minister to raise voice for the national language.

Speakers at the felicitation programme heaped praises on Health Minister Banna Gupta. They said that he dared to speak against his own government on the issue of the national language. His stand, they said was very strong and determined on the issues of local and planning policies and the 1932 Khatian base. They also commended Banna Gupta’s mode of hearing problems of the people on Saturdays and Sundays every week and taking spot action. They referred to the Jugsalai rail over-bridge and said that the construction work had stopped when people asked the Health Minister to intervene and he did by visiting the site of construction and talking to officials of departments concerned that led to the resumption of work on the rail over-bridge at Jugsalai. They also appreciated the propose3d construction of the third bridge over River Swarnrekha at Mango.

The speakers lauded Banna Gupta’s attitude. They said that irrespective of social, cultural, political or Assembly constituency the Minister was always ready to help and none returned disappointed. It was at the Minister’s taking up the people’s cause that he held discussions with Tata Steel authorities and had the Jubilee Park opened and had a gym launched for morning walkers of Kadma and Sonari. Beautification of Mango and laying of a separate track for walkers in the middle of the Mango-Dimna Road was lauded by the speakers.

They said that the Minister had provided ambulances, building and raod construction from his MLA funds. He had been working in public interest while rising above party level. Speakers expressed regret that some people besotted with fears of Banna Gupta’s popularity among the masses were jealous of the public work done by him and resorting to false allegations against the Minister.