PMO is saddened at the death of a patient at the PGI

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Chandigarh: On a hectic six-hour trip to the city where he once resided, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talked of deficiencies in effective healthcare and higher education, but his tight security was blamed for contributing to the death of a young man who failed to reach the hospital in time owing to blocked traffic on Tuesday.

Ambala resident Sumit Prakash Verma, 32, died as over-zealous security personnel did not allow his vehicle to reach the emergency area of the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) as the prime minister had arrived there to address the 30th convocation of the premier health institute.


Verma's relatives blamed the prime minister's security for wasting over two hours of theirs, the time during which the victim, who was suffering from kidney, breathing and heart problems, died.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) reacted instantly in New Delhi saying: "The PMO is saddened at the death of a patient at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research today (Tuesday) during the visit of the prime minister. A full report has been asked for."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was conferred with a doctorate (honoris causa) in law by the Panjab University, his alma mater where he returned today more than half a century after a stint there as a faculty member.

The honour was conferred upon Singh by Panjab University Vice Chancellor R C Sobti at a special convocation held here this evening for the purpose.

"It is always a pleasure to visit one's alma-mater and I am delighted to be here with you today," the Prime Minister said addressing the gathering on the occasion.

He said he should be forgiven if he became a little emotional as he had spent some of the best years of his life at the university as a student and later as a faculty member.

During his visit to the PU campus PUTA submitted its memorandum to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday . In the memorandum PUTA has reiterated its demand for granting the status of Central University to Panjab University, Chandigarh.

President PUTA Prof. Manjit Singh also met Punjab Chief Minister S. Parkash Singh Badal on the occasion, and sought appointment from him on the issue of Central University status to PU. In this regard a letter has already been delivered to his office.

Earlier in his speech to the PU fraternity, Prime Minister recounted his days at PU both as a student and then as a faculty with a sense of nostalgia. He acknowledged the contribution of Panjab University towards higher education in the region. He assured the faculty that he will see to it that talented faculty of PU is not forced to leave the University due to lack of funding available to PU at the moment. PUTA appreciates this gesture of Prime Minister and is optimistic of his positive intervention in providing P.U. a long term structural financial grant in one form or the other.