Power outage in VIMS was pre-planned to remove me as its director: Dr Gangadhara Gouda
Bengaluru/Ballari, Sep 17: In a twist to the suspected deaths due to power outage in Karnataka, Ballari-based Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) director Dr T Gangadhara Gouda alleged that it was a pre-planned act to defame him.
Maula Hussein (35), suffering from kidney-related ailments, and Chettemma (30), a snake-bite victim, died at the state-run medical institution in the district headquarters town of Ballari on Wednesday at 9.30 am and 9.35 am respectively.
Some reports attributed the deaths to power cut and a defunct power generator at the government medical college hospital.
Speaking to reporters, Dr Gouda said: "I have heard certain audio clips related to the case. It (power outage) was pre-planned. I will collect all the details as to how they (the conspirators) contacted and connived with others and submit a report to the deputy commissioner of the district." He added that he will lodge a complaint as well.
"The power was disconnected, as I was appointed as the director (of VIMS) on August 19. I do not have a definite information as to who disconnected power. I will lodge a complaint after getting confirmation (about the conspirators)," the VIMS director said.
When asked whether it was an act to tarnish his reputation, he said, "Yes. Some people could not tolerate that I am continuing in this post. They made this attempt to remove me from here. You will get to know the details."
Dr Gangadhar refused to divulge the details of the audio clip but said he would let everyone know about the incident.
He also said he is prepared for a legal battle if such a situation arises and may also file a police complaint.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was in Kalaburagi on Saturday, said the government will take action based on a report submitted by the team formed to probe the death of patients in VIMS.
"The team constituted by the state government to probe the death of patients visited VIMS yesterday. Action will be taken based on the investigation report," Bommai told reporters in Kalaburagi.
The Chief Minister expressed his sorrow over the incident saying that he was pained to learn about the incident.
To a query on former chief minister Siddaramaiah's displeasure over state Health Minister K Sudhakar not visiting the hospital yet, Bommai said the government is doing its job.
Meanwhile, Sudhakar and Siddaramaiah traded barbs on the issue with the latter claiming that five people died.
"It is said five people have died, the health minister or any other minister has not yet visited the hospital yet, Siddaramaiah said.
Charging that the government claimed that no one died due to power outage, Siddaramaiah sought to know why the government gave the next-of-kin of the victims an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh when the cause of death was not power failure. The government is lying, he alleged.
Sudhakar flayed Siddaramaiah saying that the latter's statement was unbecoming of a leader.
"When I learnt about the incident, the same day I constituted a committee. The same day they went there and investigated the matter, the health minister said.
He pointed out that both the patients who died had health issues and both were admitted in the Intensive Care Unit.
"Because there was a problem, those who died were in the ICU. If there was no health problem, why would they have been on ventilators. The investigation is on but I am not going to say authoritatively that the incident happened in a certain manner," Sudhakar said.
I have certain information but will not speak without the final report. After getting the report, I will table it in the Assembly. Let the Assembly decide, the minister said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Indian economy likely to be 'a little weaker' in 2025: IMF MD
Washington, Jan 11: The Indian economy is expected to be "a little weaker" in 2025 despite steady global growth, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said.
Georgieva also said she expects quite a lot of uncertainty in the world this year mainly around the trade policy of the US.
In her annual media roundtable with a group of reporters on Friday, she said global growth is expected to be steady in 2025, but with regional divergence.
Georgieva said she expects the Indian economy to be a little weaker in 2025. However, she did not explain it any further. The World Economy Outlook update week will have more details about it.
“The US is doing quite a bit better than we expected before, the EU is somewhat stalling, (and) India a little weaker," she said.
Brazil was facing somewhat higher inflation, she said.
In China, the world’s second-largest economy, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was seeing deflationary pressure and ongoing challenges with domestic demand, she said.
"Low-income countries, despite all the efforts they are making, are in a position when any new shock can affect them quite negatively,” Georgieva said.
“What we expect in 2025 is to have quite a lot of uncertainty, especially in terms of economic policies. Not surprisingly, given the size and role of the US economy, there is keen interest globally in the policy directions of the incoming administration, in particular on tariffs, taxes, deregulation and government efficiency,” Georgieva said.
“This uncertainty is particularly high around the path for trade policy going forward, adding to the headwinds facing the global economy, especially for countries and regions that are more integrated in global supply chains, medium-sized economies, (and) Asia as a region," she said.
That uncertainty is actually expressed globally through higher long-term interest rates, even though short-term interest rates have gone down, the IMF Managing Director said.
Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States on January 20, replacing Joe Biden at the White House.
Trump, 78, has announced plans to impose additional tariffs on countries like China, Canada and Mexico. He has publicly announced the use of tariffs as a key policy tool.
On inflation, the IMF expects global disinflation to continue, Georgieva said.
"As we all recognise, the higher interest rates that were necessary to fight inflation did not push the world economy into recession. They have delivered the desired results. Headline inflation is converging back to target sooner in advanced economies than in emerging markets,” she said.
