Will examine proposal to give land to doctors in state: James

SHILLONG, Oct 26: Health Minister James PK Sangma on Wednesday said the department would examine the proposal from former Health minister AL Hek to allot land to doctors so that they can serve forever in Meghalaya.
Hek had suggested that the government should allot land to doctors like it had done for IAS/ IPS officers since doctors from outside were unwilling to stay here since they cannot buy land due to the Land Transfer Act.
Hek had also pointed out that doctors from the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) were leaving as they are not eligible to buy land and get other facilities in the state. Hek had also stated that if the government can give land to bureaucrats who are serving for one-two years, why not do the same for the doctors.
Reacting to Hek’s suggestion, Sangma said the department will have to examine its merits and demerits.
The minister also said that if Hek was so concerned about the issue, then he should have taken this up during his tenure as health minister.
Sangma, however, made it clear that the government was open to any kind of suggestion coming from the legislators.