Ballari maternal deaths: CM Siddaramaiah announces Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to victim families

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday enhanced the compensation from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh to next of kin of women who died due to post-delivery complications in Ballari Medical College and Research Centre (VIMS) and the district hospital.

Addressing a Janakalyana convention of the Congress party in Sandur, the chief minister said that he took the decision to hike the compensation following the request by the family members of deceased women.

Five women have died in Ballari hospital following childbirth complications since November.

“Five women have died in Ballari Hospital. I conducted a meeting and it appears that substandard medicines were given. I had announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh but the relatives are asking for more. So I announce giving Rs five lakh to them.”

At a government event in Chamarajanagar on Saturday, the CM said that a committee headed by the Development Commissioner was formed to inquire into it and submit a report.

“Once we get the report, action will be taken against the guilty. We have already taken some action, further action will follow based on the report,” he had said.

The CM has already suspended the Drugs Controller and also has blacklisted the company that supplied the Ringer’s Lactate IV solutions.