Bhubaneswar: The Opposition parties in Odisha today submitted a memorandum to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati to press for the resignation of Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling in connection with the fire incident at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The MLAs of Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Congress party and the CPM met the Governor at the Lok Bhawan in the capital city here and submitted the memorandum.

In the memorandum, the Opposition MLAs pleaded for the immediate resignation or removal of the Health Minister, a compensation of Rs 1 crore to the family of each deceased patient.

The also sought government job for one member of each affected family and a judicial probe led by a sitting or retired judge of Orissa High Court.

Oppn sought immediate arrest of the guilty 

Besides, the Opposition legislators demanded immediate arrest of the guilty and stringent legal action against them. Moreover, they advocated comprehensive fire safety audit of all government and private hospitals in Odisha.

“The incident, which led to the unfortunate death of 13 patients and caused severe distress to several others, has deeply shocked the people of Odisha. The tragedy raises grave concerns regarding safety standards, administrative accountability and the overall condition of public healthcare infrastructure in the state,” read the memorandum.

According to the Opposition parties, the incident has not only caused irreparable loss to the affected families but also raised serious apprehensions among the public regarding safety in government healthcare institutions.  “Therefore, we earnestly request your kind intervention to ensure justice for the victims, accountability of those responsible and urgent corrective measures to prevent recurrence of such tragedies,” added the memorandum.