Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday December 2, clarified on the chaos prevailing over the dialysis system in Karnataka and said, “The chaos over dialysis was existing even before I took charge as health minister. The earlier government had given the contract to two agencies. Out of them, one left half way. Their maintenance was not right and they were not paying salaries to the staff on time. Their PF and ESI amount was not paid. Now the state government is trying to pay the same. However, the work of blacklisting the said agency in in progress.”

He further said, “Tender is called for new agencies in four departments. The dialysis machines which are spoilt cannot be changed. Either the current agency has to do it or the new agency will do it after they receive the contract.

“If nothing works, the government itself will maintain the machines after purchasing them. Let the tender process get over. Then will decide on the same. We are concerned about the dialysis staff. We will see that they do not face any problems,” he said.

Responding to the queries on the suicide of a doctor accused in foetus abortion cases, Gundu Rao said, “I have visited all places and gathered information with regards to foetus abortions. I have urged the chief minister to handover the case to the CID. The CM later ordered a CID inquiry. Two officers were suspended as it was a clear case of dereliction of duty.

“I also got information about deceased Dr Sathish that he also was involved in the scam. But he has killed himself. I do not know why he took this extreme step. We should check whether there is any link to the suicide of Sathish and the case.

“Sathish was also a government Ayush officer. There was accusation against him. Though he was an Ayush officer, he was practicing medicine it is learnt. There were many accusations against him in Mysuru also.

“Many officers of our department are involved in this scam. But that has to be clear after the investigation. Police are doing their job. But I do not know why Dr Sathish has killed himself. Hence, I would not like to comment on this at the moment.

“The police department and CID will conduct a comprehensive investigation. There is need of strict law to prevent abortion of foetuses. We are thinking over making amendments to the law.

“Inspection needs to be done at various places including scanning centres. In addition, some intelligence information needs to be gathered. Information needs to be gathered with regards to people involved in this scam. The police and health department have to work in tandem in order to bring out the truth,” he said.

Speaking on K S Eshwarappa’s statement of Jagadish Shettar going back to the BJP, Dinesh said, “Eshwarappa is expert in giving statements. Jagadish Shettar has clarified earlier that Eshwarappa was the reason for him to leave the BJP. Eshwarappa has come to know of his wrong doings. Hence he is giving these kind of statements.

“Eshwarappa is also involved in operation Lotus. He will send even those remaining in the party to other parties. He is sailing on two boats,” he said.

Reacting to the matter of five-state assembly elections’ impact on Lok Sabha election outcome, he said, “People want change. The assembly election results will impact Lok Sabha election results. The Congress will give a tough fight in the outcome of the five state elections.

“The BJP is saying ‘Congress Mukt Bharat’. Now the BJP itself is getting freed from the country. The parliament and assembly elections are different. At present, South India is ‘BJP Mukt’. Hence, let them omit the word ‘Mukt’ as they only are getting ‘Mukt’.

“The BJP should give up arrogance. In a democratic system, several political parties have to co-exist. Thinking of dictatorship and finishing the opposition is a bad thought. Now people have started asking questions,” he said.

Dinesh clarified on the moral policing issue in Mangaluru and said, “I have instructed the police to take stringent action. No one will be allowed to take law into hands. There is no need of communalism and moral policing. People need development to lead life. That is a necessity right now.”