BJP MLA demands Medical Education Minister resignation

Ruling BJP today sufferred yet another major embarassment when one of its MLAs alleged irregularities in marketing of generic drugs at government hospitals and demanded the resignation of Minister for Medical Education A Ramdas.

The charges by Dr Sarvabowma Bagali while participating during the debate on drought in the assembly.

Bagali, who represents Indi assembly constituency in Bijapur district, alleged that the drug mafia had influenced Ramdas in establishing generic drug sale outlets in government hospitals and sold the drugs at exorbitant prices.

Bagali, who owns a private hospital in his constituency, claimed that Citrogen tablet sold at Rs 2.30 in hospital was being sold at Rs 38 in government hospitals.

Ramdas had sent a note to the Principal Secretary to Medical Education Department on November 16, 2011 to consider opening of the Generic drug sales outlets and the department issued orders at 'lightning speed', he alleged.

Bagali demanded that Ramdas resign and that criminal cases be filed against three officials of the Medical Education Department-- Principal Secretary, Deputy Secretary and Under Secretary.

He alleged that Ramdas and the Karnataka Marketing Cooperative Federation which procure drugs and supply it to government stores are the major beneficiaries.
Bagali is identified in the anti-Jagadish Shettar camp.

Bandeppa Kashempur of JDS, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil of Congress and others then demanded that the government set up a house committee to go into the charges.

Deputy Chief Minister K S Eswarappa pacified the members saying he would ask the minister to reply after which the government would decide the future course of action.