BJP smells rat over drug purchase

 BJP leader N R Ramesh on Friday charged that large irregularities have taken place in the State Health Mission (SHM) in procuring medicines.

Addressing reporters here, Ramesh said the Centre had released Rs 1,463 crore to the state government under the mission to supply medicines to the referral hospitals, primary health centres and community hospitals. This fund has been grossly misused, he charged.

Ramesh stated that the irregularities have been committed in purchasing medicines through the Karnataka State Drugs Logistics and Warehousing Society. The medicines were purchased at a much higher price than their actual cost only to embezzle funds, he claimed.
“The Society showed it purchased medicines from 82 companies, of which 15 do not exist,” claimed the BJP leader.

In Bengaluru City itself, the embezzlement is to the tune of Rs 44 crore, he said.