Lokayukta surprise visit exposes lapses at state-run cancer hospital in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Lokayukta has initiated a suo motu probe into alleged mismanagement, irregularities, and malpractice at Kidwai Memorial Cancer Hospital following an anonymous complaint.
Citing concerns that prior intimation could lead to evidence being tampered with, Lokayukta Justice B.S. Patil carried out a surprise inspection of the hospital on Friday.
According to a report published by The Hindu, several lapses were revealed during the visit. The hospital is currently overseen by an IAS officer holding additional charge as administrative head, who visits only once a week.
A shortage of doctors and support staff was also flagged, raising concerns over the hospital’s ability to handle its patient load.
At the Central Drug Store, officials said that 40% of drug costs are borne by the state government and 60% by the Centre, making high-cost medicines available at subsidised rates. However, patients reportedly complained that essential drugs such as Enzalutamide 160 mg and Exylete were often unavailable at the hospital pharmacy, with some staff allegedly directing them to private stores to purchase the medicines. The Lokayukta directed the hospital director to take immediate action against such practices and submit a compliance report.
Justice B.S. Patil further ordered the inspection team to conduct a department-wide audit and prepare a detailed report on the irregularities reported at the hospital.
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BJP has history of ‘contradictory alliances’, says BK Hariprasad
Bengaluru: Congress MLC B. K. Hariprasad has launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing the party of hypocrisy over its criticism of alliance politics in Tamil Nadu.
In a post on X on Friday, Hariprasad said BJP leader B. L. Santhosh criticising the Congress party’s alliance politics in Tamil Nadu was “not just laughable, but the height of political contradiction.”
He said the Congress has always joined hands with like-minded parties to protect secular and democratic values in the country.
Hariprasad questioned the BJP over several of its past and present alliances across the country. Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tripura, Bihar and Maharashtra, he accused the BJP of sharing power with parties it had earlier criticised.
He alleged that the BJP had aligned with separatist and corruption-linked political forces in different states for political gains.
“The BJP, which speaks against alliances today, should first look at its own political history,” he said, adding that the party’s record was full of “contradictions and changing stands.”
Hariprasad also accused the BJP of using central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax Department and CBI as political tools to target opposition leaders, topple governments and influence electoral mandates.
He further claimed that the people of Tamil Nadu had strongly rejected the BJP and its ideology in the recent election.
“Congress forms alliances to protect the Constitution, secularism and national unity, while the BJP enters into alliances only for power,” he said.
