The demise of former Rediff journalist Tara Shankar Sahay's was raised by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj in Parliament on Wednesday morning.

Swaraj, while Information and Broadcasting minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, had set aside Rs 2 crore to be given to journalists suffering from illnesses.

She alleged that if Sahay had got proper medical attention, he would have been living. Sahay passed away after a one-and-a-half month long illness.

Despite the fact that his family spent huge amounts of money on his medical treatment and got him aditted in so-called super-speciality hospitals, he could not be saved and passed away on Tuesday morning at 5.15 am.

"I understand that medical facilities offered to Press Information Bureau accredited journalists and their families have been withdrawan with effect from last year by the Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss. It is the duty of the Information and Broadcasting minister to sort out the issue and ensure that medical facilities to accredited journalists is restored with immediate effect," Swaraj said.

Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said he would take action. Ironically, journalists accredited to Delhi government enjoy better medical facilities.

The prime minister's media advisor S Baru helped in getting money for Tara's medical care.

Considering the fact that the bills were huge, this good gesture of Dr Baru was not adequate.