Bengaluru: Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Arvind Bellad launched a scathing attack on the Congress-led state government over its decision to remove Jan Aushadhi Kendras from government hospitals. Calling the move a “betrayal of the poor,” Bellad alleged it was a deliberate attempt to dismantle affordable healthcare in favor of corrupt procurement practices.
In a strongly worded statement, Bellad expressed disappointment over what he termed as a “careless and irresponsible” approach by the state’s Health Minister. He claimed that the sidelining of Jan Aushadhi outlets — which provide low-cost generic medicines — would severely impact underprivileged patients, particularly in underserved regions like North Karnataka.
“The minister himself has admitted that 190 out of 410 essential medicines are currently out of stock in government hospitals,” Bellad pointed out. “With a procurement process that takes at least 45 days, patients are either turned away or forced to buy expensive branded drugs outside.”
The BJP leader alleged that the Congress government’s move paves the way for large-scale procurement contracts, potentially leading to kickbacks and lack of transparency. “This isn’t reform — it’s a setup for loot,” Bellad said, warning of the consequences of such a shift. He cited past incidents of substandard medicines and contaminated IV fluids, notably in Ballari, Hubballi, and Belagavi, which have led to patient deaths.
“This is not a healthcare policy. It’s a scam in the making,” Bellad charged. “Congress is not curing the system; it’s cashing in on it.”
The Jan Aushadhi scheme, a central government initiative, aims to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices through dedicated outlets across the country. Its exclusion from government hospital premises, Bellad argued, directly undermines the welfare of the economically weaker sections.
The Congress government has not yet issued a formal response to Bellad’s allegations.
