India, March 17 -- Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik today demanded the resignation of Odisha health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, holding him morally responsible for the fire mishap at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack that claimed 12 lives.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Odisha Assembly, Patnaik said he was deeply disturbed after visiting the hospital. He described the situation as a grim reflection of deteriorating safety standards at the state's premier healthcare institution.

The fire broke out in the Trauma Care ICU in the early hours of Monday, killing the patients who were undergoing treatment. Patnaik alleged that the deaths were the result of administrative negligence. He said the victims had come to the...