Iugurated but locked away, a health centre that never was

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Feb 14: It is yet another instance of shameful waste of public money.

The permanent building of the Mirzapur sub health centre was iugurated on December 24, 2009. The lock at the main door of the building, put up after the function on the iugural day, has not been opened since.

The building was constructed at Belguriapara under Azara revenue circle of West Guwahati constituency. Built with 12th Fince Commission funds, the building was iugurated by the then AGP MLA Ramendra rayan Kalita. Today, six years after it was iugurated, the building bears a deserted look. The doors and windows have been damaged irreparably, while the rooftop tin sheets have given way.

Locals say the building has become a den of anti-social elements who indulge in gambling and drinking after sunset.

Some well-wishers of the then legislator have scratched out Kalita’s me from the plaque put up in front of the building for the iugural function. Locals say Ramendra rayan Kalita never laid foot at the place again. Given the condition of the building, it is unlikely that the health centre would ever function from it.

The health sub centre continued to function from a temporary campus, located half a km away from the building.

“The new building now does not have identity. How can we believe that the government is not aware about it? After all, it is public money that has gone into it,” says advisor of the Azara unit of Axom Xahitya Xabha Kamal Prasad Das.

Present local MLA Hemanta Talukdar, known for frequently dozing off at assembly sessions, has also not taken any initiative to make the new building operatiol.

“This is an example of the State’s health service. Sick people are being virtually left to die here,” rued general secretary of the local AASU unit Alokesh th.