News: Pareekshit Shet

Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi(EP)

Udupi, Oct 29: Local organizations held protests near Clock Tower on Friday October 28 condemning the decision of the chief minister to hand over the ownership of the building of government women’s and children’s hospital for 30 years on lease to non-resident Indian businessman, B R Shetty’s private organization.

Psychiatrist Dr P V Bhandary addressing the protesters urged not to hand over the government hospital to the private organization. “We will build the hospital after collecting contributions from Udupi residents and others after postponing ground breaking ceremony for a year. Name is not necessary, will is sufficient. Rs 200 crore from UAE exchange are miniscule. Let young leader Pramod Madhwaraj collect donations. The memorandum of understanding should be discussed in public,” he said.

Meenakshi Bhandary, mother of Dr P V Bhandary asked why the government cannot build a hospital for the poor spending Rs 100 crore instead of spending Rs 1,000 crore for steel bridge in Bengaluru. “The hospital need not be constructed. It can be renovated and additional doctors and staff can be appointed. It should never be privatized. I will donate Rs 10,001,” she said.

Several social and political leaders, citizens Faniraj, Sabhapathi, Raghupathi Bhat, Ambika Nayak, Balakrishna Shetty, Nithyananda Olakadu, Mohammed Ansar and others were present.

Social activist Nithyananda Olakadu showed a skit on delivery of woman with a child beside her, in the protests.