Bihar has just 13 dentists in government hospitals and dispensaries to cater to a vast population of around 11 crore, a majority of which live in rural areas, a nominated member in the state legislative council today said drawing the state government's attention.
The state government had created and sanctioned 700 posts of dentists in February 2012 to cover the entire state, but appointments were yet to be made, he said.
The issue rocked the Upper House after the nominated member, Ranveer Nandan, brought it up through a 'call attention notice', saying it was a very serious issue concerning the wellbeing of the people of Bihar.
He also pointed out that appointment and service rules for the dentists have not been notified till now, despite the government approving it in 2012.
Responding to the matter, Bihar Health Minister Ramdhani Singh accepted such a situation was prevailing in the state, but blamed it on discrepancies in the appointment and service rules and added they were being revised.
Not letting go of the opportunity, opposition members demanded a statement regarding timeframe for the appointment of dentists, while creating noisy scenes when the minister hesitated.
"The appointment of dentists will be done within three months after the rules are revised," said Singh, but remained silent on the deadline of revising the rules.
