NHRC sends notice to Chhattisgarh govt, seeks report on Bilaspur mishap

At least 12 women died and 72 others were admitted to hospital on Tuesday after they underwent sterilization surgery as part of the state government-funded free family planning camps that were held between October and February. "The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of media reports as well as complaints that about 12 women died and more than 70 others were in a serious condition following sterilization on the 8th November, 2014 at a Government organised camp in District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. Allegedly, more than 83 women were operated within six hours using infected surgical tools," NHRC said in a statement. "It has issued a notice to the Government of Chhattisgarh, through its Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare calling for a report into the incident within two weeks," it said. The health programme was aimed at controlling India’s billion-plus population. The state government gives Rs. 1,400 to each of the women who undergo the surgery. Sources said a four-member medical team from Delhi was sent to Bilaspur after Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Raman Singh on Tuesday. The United Nations (UN), too, expressed concern over the sterilization nightmare. According to reports, as many as 83 women had reportedly been operated upon within five hours at the government-run Nemi Chand hospital in Bilaspur’s Pendari area. Admitting the possibility of negligence, the CM suspended four officials including RK Gupta under whose supervision the surgeries were performed. Singh also ordered to file an FIR (First Information Report) against Gupta. The state government also announced a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh for the families of each of the deceased woman.