The blame game: CM upset at rivals, media for ‘making an issue out of the drought’

Censures media for finding fault with the on-going festival in Mithi

HYDERABAD: Defending his government’s drought-mitigation activities in Tharparkar, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah blamed political opponents and the media for making a mountain out of a molehill.

“We have done a lot to stop the deaths of children and to provide better health facilities in Thar,” he complained while addressing the three-day health festival in Mithi on Thursday. “But the opponents keep on criticising our government by making an issue out of the drought. The media also doesn’t recognise our endeavours either.”

Shah said the needs of 1.6 million people of Tharparkar will take time to be fulfilled. He also censured the media for finding fault with the festival while ignoring its objective of creating awareness among the people.

The issues of maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition and immunisation are being highlighted at the festival. Stalls of puppet shows, kids play area, food courts, handicrafts and musical nights have been set up to entertain the visitors.

According to the chief minister, 200 reverse osmosis (RO) plants have been installed in Tharparkar to address the drinking water problem. Another 550 will be installed by the end of June, he added.

Festival challenged in court

The District Bar Association, Tharparkar, has challenged the on-going festival in a local court, arguing that millions of rupees are being wasted on the festival instead of being spent on providing the required health facilities.

In his plea, the bar’s president, Bheru Lal Herani, appealed the court to order the government to stop the festival and divert the funds to establish orthopaedic and burns wards and blood banks in Tharparkar.

The court ordered the health secretary and district health officer to appear before the court in person on April 10.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 10^th, 2015.