Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Aug 26: Amid the pandemic, demand for products such as masks, sanitizers, gloves witnessed a steep rise. This also made the sellers and makers of these products inflated the prices paving the way for corrupt practices to take over. Speaking on the matter, Congress leader Mithun Rai directing his answer at BJP MLA Raghupathi Bhat said, "I will get you masks costing Rs 2.80."
"My family is involved in the medical field. I am aware of the cost of medical equipment and essential things. The BJP-led state government has made a lot of money in purchasing medical equipment. Siddaramaiah had also requested details regarding the expenditure in procuring medical tools. The government bought sanitizers for about Rs 300 to Rs 700, however, the actual price is somewhere between Rs 75 - Rs 100. They acquired PPE kits and thermal scanner for an inflated price which are currently available at an economical price. Lockdown period is a buyers' market," Rai added.
"I purchased a surgical mask at Rs 2.80, while MLA Raghupathi Bhat has a different say on that. If he is really keen on purchasing a mask, I will get him 5 lac masks for Rs 2.80 each. Surgical masks would also be made available at Rs 1.75. Also, I am not looking for any commission in this trade. He can contact me if he needs me to arrange these products," said Rai at the Congress Executive Committee gathering organized by Udupi Youth Congress at Congress Bhavan on Wednesday, August 26.
"Amid this pandemic, Congress has undertaken activities, which the BJP government has not. During these unprecedented times, the BJP government is only involved in making a profit," he asserted.
"If the present state government had any real concern for the migrant workers, they could have provided them with good facilities here. Unfortunately, they were not provided with any facilities. The services provided by construction workers is vital and the government ignored their needs," the Congress leader said.
"KPCC president also donated Rs 1 crore to the KSRTC so that they arrange for the transportation services for the migrants. Meanwhile, the BJP-led government in the state announced that they have distributed food kits to 81 lac families, however, it is important to see how many of those families received the benefit. What the state government donated has actually been donated by NGOs, temples, churches, masjids," he said.
"Failure is not permanent, it is not the end of life but it is a beginning of success. Congress will win in the upcoming 2022 election with a majority of votes, under the leadership of KPCC president D K Shivakumar. We will make the district BJP-free in the upcoming election. The BJP power is not going to be permanent," he asserted.
Speaking on the occasion Indian Youth Congress secretary Vidya Balakrishna said, "From last month people are suffering a lot due to coronavirus. Congress has come to the aid of several underprivileged people. The Youth Congress was also active in helping the destitute. However, the BJP government in the state has not done any such thing."
"The government in the Centre has always preferred the corporates over the poor. Six years ago, the BJP government made several promises. but has not fulfilled any of them. They are also trying to incite violence in people. All they want to do is make India a Hindu dominated country. The culture of India goes hand in hand with the Congress party. Whereas BJP tries to divide by bringing in NRC. They also control constitutional organizations like ED, EC, RBI, CBI along with the judicial system," he added.
There is needed to raise our voice against the ruling party. During this critical period, BJP led by government looted money of people of India in buying medical equipment. It is about Rs 2000 crore. It needs to be investigated under law.
Kemparaja Gowda vice president, Karnataka Youth Congress, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor president, Udupi Congress, Vishwas Amin president, Udupi Youth Congress, Ramesh Kanchan, Prashanth Poojary, Vijay Poojary Bailur, Ranjith, Ramesh Hegde, Abdul Azeez, Suhel Kadaba, Yogish Acharya, Congress social media convener and others were present.