Putting thousands of asthma patients from across the country into trouble, the Andhra Pradesh Government, after dillydallying till the last minute, chose Kattedan village in Rajendranagar mandal of Rangareddy district as venue instead of the regular Exhibition Grounds of Nampally for the free distribution of the miracle fish food medicine offered by Bathini Goud brothers.
The popular fish medicine for asthma patients will be distributed non-stop at the trust’s centre in Kattedan village on Friday and Saturday. The 167-year-old practice draws thousands of patients annually. The venue for the two-day camp was shifted from the Bathini brothers’ residence at Doodbowli in walled city to the Nampally exhibition grounds in 1998 to manage the crowds.
This year, the event will be held at the Bathini Mrigasira trust grounds allotted by the government. The venue for the distribution of medicine is a five acre land (SNo 49, Kattedan Village, Rajendranagar Mandal in Ranga Reddy district) in-between Aramghar and Chandrayanagutta. The medicine will be distributed from 7 am onwards.
According to Bathini Harinath Goud, the government’s effort to shift the venue seemed like harassment. “I have applied for permission for the exhibition grounds months ago. Surprisingly my application was denied saying that the grounds are booked by someone else. So we decided on Kattedan,” Goud said.
“Invites have been sent and we have even declared Kattedan as the official venue. Then authorities say that Kattedan is unfit. We don't know about the government's intention towards administration of fish medicine. This is nothing but harassment.”
Goud alleged that the government favours asthmatic medicines offered by several pharma companies instead of the tried and tested medicine administered by his family for ages.