Last Updated: 18 October 2025, 00:41 IST Sidhi Hospital Row: The condition of Sidhi District Hospital is constantly deteriorating, there are not enough specialist doctors nor the machines are fully functional. The public is asking the question, “If crores of rupees have been spent, then why has the treatment not improved?” It is now not only a matter of investigation, but of accountability. A dispute of Rs 7 crore has come to light in Sidhi. Straight. Nowadays, Sidhi’s politics is hot in the politics of Madhya Pradesh. The reason is the dispute over the health equipment budget of Rs 7 crore! When the deputy chief minister of the state, Rajendra Shukla, reached the Sidhi district hospital for inspection, the temperature of politics along with the health system rose there. LP Dr. Rajesh Mishra and MLA Reeti Pathak were present in the closed-door meeting, but after the meeting the controversy deepened. The Deputy Chief Minister made it clear that Sidhi will not get a medical college but may be given permission to run a nursing college in the district hospital. MLA Reeti Pathak raised the question where did the machines purchased worth Rs 7 crore go? The Deputy Chief Minister confirmed the equipment and budget, but the MLA immediately made a demand; It must be crossed! Now the big question is, will Sidhi’s hospital provide treatment or face political scrutiny? In fact, on Friday, the deputy chief minister of the state, Rajendra Shukla, reached Sidhi district on a short stay. Their purpose was to review the arrangements of the district hospital and discuss improvements in health services, but during the inspection itself, not the “health” of the hospital but the political temperature increased. Was equipment worth crores bought on paper? The Deputy Chief Minister inspected the district hospital and had a long discussion about the health system in a closed room in the presence of MP Dr. Rajesh Mishra and MLA Reeti Pathak interviewed. It was revealed in the same meeting that Sidhi would not be able to get a medical college but the district hospital could be allowed to run a nursing college. But after this the real controversy started when MLA Reeti Pathak raised the question why the health equipment bought with the amount of Rs 7 crore was not visible in the hospital? He placed the demand for physical verification before the Deputy Chief Minister. The MLA said that “On paper, equipment worth crores is said to have been purchased, but their whereabouts are not known on the ground. It is a fraud on the people of Sidhi and its investigation is needed.” Where has the budget gone, there was sharp reaction, while Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, seeing the gravity of the matter, while accepting the budget and the list of equipment, asked for a cross-check. Sources say that Shukla has asked the officials for details and physical report of this entire budget utilization. A sharp reaction to this is seen in the local political circles. People say that Sidhi District Hospital has now become a “referral centre”, where patients are referred to Rewa or Jabalpur instead of primary treatment. In such a situation, it is natural to raise the question that when there is a shortage of modern machines and equipment in the hospital, then where has the budget of Rs 7 crore gone? Political experts believe that this controversy will no longer be limited to the health department, but in the coming times it may become the biggest issue of Sidhi’s politics. On one hand, MLA Reeti Pathak has been outspoken about her clean image and the public’s questions, while on the other, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla is seen as favoring administrative accountability and reform. About the Author Sumit Verma Sumit Verma has been working as an associate editor in News18 for 4 years. He has been active in journalism for the past 3 decades and has his own distinct identity. Experience of working in responsible positions in well-known media organizations of the country. Read more Sumit Verma has been working as an associate editor in News18 for 4 years. He has been active in journalism for the past 3 decades and has his own distinct identity. Experience of working in responsible positions in well-known media organizations of the country. P… Read More Click here to add News18 Hindi as your favorite news source on Google. Location: Sidhi, Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh First Published: October 18, 2025, 00:39 IST homemadhya-pradesh ‘Health Controversy’ in Sidhi: MLA Reeti Pathak Faces Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla
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