Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla explained that the government hospital planned for Khajrana in Indore faced construction delays due to encroachment on the allocated land by the Health Department, refuting corruption allegations. The project drew attention for staff recruitment despite the absence of a hospital building, leading to it being labeled a ‘ghost hospital’. Shukla clarified that the hold-up was due to a land dispute, emphasizing that the land earmarked for the hospital was encroached upon, hindering possession by the Health Department.
The Deputy CM mentioned that the hospital positions were sanctioned pre-pandemic, with 35 paramedical staff members recruited during the Covid-19 crisis to address the severe healthcare personnel shortage in the state. Since the hospital structure was not yet ready, these staff members were assigned to various rural and urban health centers in Indore. Shukla emphasized that no furniture or medical equipment had been procured for the proposed hospital, dismissing any corruption allegations related to the project.
Highlighting the government’s utilization of the recruited workforce in existing health facilities during the pandemic emergency, Shukla assured that once the encroached land is handed over to the Health Department, the project would progress. He reiterated the government’s commitment to commencing the tender process for construction immediately upon securing possession of the site. Amid political backlash over the stalled project, Shukla’s clarification aimed to address concerns raised by the Opposition Congress regarding appointment irregularities associated with the proposed hospital.
