TMC leader sees 'conspiracy' behind crib deaths in West Bengal

Amid outrage over infant deaths in West Bengal, senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay today alleged that there is a conspiracy to blow out of proportion some of these cases in the state.

"Some deliberate campaign is very much being carried out that Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Bengal is gradually growing high. But the report I have, reflects that all India average of infant mortality is 47, whereas in West Bengal it is 31," Bandyopadhyay, who is the Minister of State for Health, told reporters here.

On being asked who is behind this "conspiracy", the minister said, "I am not particularly mentioning any name or identity. What I feel is, certainly some conspiracy is being hatched, otherwise why this issue is being projected in a very systematic manner."

TMC-ruled West Bengal recently saw a number of infant deaths in its hospitals. Most of the cases reportedly took place because of poor infrastructure in the hospitals and negligence of staff there.

Blaming the Left Front and CPM which ruled the state for last 34 years behind its crumbling health infrastructure, he said seven months of TMC rule is not enough to improve the situation.

"Since last 34 years when the Left Front and CPM ruled the state, the total infrastructure in the hospitals had collapsed. From top to bottom it was a mess. So six months or seven months time is not enough for a government (to improve the situation)," he said.