Opposition grills government over Israeli firm building hospital
By IANSThursday, July 29, 2010
PANAJI - Opposition parties in Goa Thursday questioned the state government’s logic of allowing an Israeli defence equipment manufacturer to build a super specialty hospital under the public-private-partnership (PPP) model.
Speaking during question hour in the assembly, leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar said the Israel-based holding company, M/s Elbit India Hospitals Limited (EIHL), only had a marginal stake in health care.
“Elbit is known primarily for defence equipment manufacture. They earn a major share of income through sale of defence equipment. They do not have any hospitals operational in Goa. And yet the Goa government has allowed them to start a super speciality hospital!,” Parrikar, a former chief minister, said.
Health minister Vishwajeet Rane was also grilled over leasing EIHL 10,000 sq mts of land for a period of 60 years for construction and maintenance of the hospital.
“EIHL has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Goa,” Rane told the assembly, in face of criticism from the opposition.
Rane also said that EIHL was investing Rs.120 crore in the super specialty hospital project, whose work is expected to be started next month.
