Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Jun 28: Former chief minister and opposition leader Siddaramaiah on Sunday June 28 hit out at the state government over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic and demanded transparency in the expenditure incurred with regard to the pandemic.
In a series of tweets, Siddaramaiah said that the ruling BJP government in the state should release white paper on the total amount spent from the state exchequer in controlling the pandemic.
"As the state government has not taken action in a transparent manner, people of the state are suspicious and feel insecure. Ruling BJP government has to take out white paper giving details of action taken and expenditure with regards to coronavirus pandemic to instill confidence in people," Siddaramaiah tweeted.
He further said, "How much money is spent from state exchequer for the control of coronavirus pandemic? What is the amount spent on quarantine, PPE, ventilator, oxygen cylinder, mask, sanitizer and other medical equipments and treatment? What is the amount that has arrived from central government and also the equipments? What is the number of beds that are reserved for coronavirus treatment in private hospitals? What is the criteria on which the fee in private hospitals is fixed for coronavirus treatment? All these details have to be kept in front of the people of Karnataka.
"Though I have written many letters to respective departments and asked for details, they are not giving proper information to me. This kind of denying of giving of information amounts to violation of rights. In addition, it also creates doubts about the functioning of the government. So the complete details needs to be kept in front of the public through white paper.
"In nine districts of Karnataka, lockdown was declared on March 23, a day prior to the lockdown that was declared nationwide. Not a single death has occurred then. Only 26 people were infected with coronavirus. According to the latest report, the number of Covid-19 infected people in the state has shot up to 11,923 and 191 people have lost their lives. This pandemic, which was limited to Bengaluru and some district centers in the beginning, has now spread to all nooks and corners of the state.
"Corona did not show its intensity at once. It gained momentum in phases. The ruling state government of BJP, which has wasted the last three months in imposing and withdrawing of lockdown, has not taken any measure to face the coronavirus pandemic. It has wasted three months due to its irresponsibility. Because of this the public of the state is suffering.
"Coronavirus infection is spreading rapidly in the state without any control. Villages, which were out of the clutches of this pandemic are also overtaken by this dreaded virus. People of the state have lost faith on the ruling government and are under panic now. They do not have the confidence that the ruling government of the state will protect them from the coronavirus pandemic.
"The government hospitals of Bengaluru are full with patients. Private hospitals are denying to give coronavirus treatment at the cost the government prescribed. BJP state government should make the private hospitals agree to give the treatment on the prescribed rates or take action on them. Without doing anything, if the state government is sitting silent, then what is the plight of the people?
"From the last 15 days, the number of testings has gone down from 16,000 to 11,000. There is a fear that the infection might have spread to communities. More than 9,200 ventilators are required in the state. At present, only 1,500 are available. Central government was asked to send 33,000 ventilators to the state. However, they have sent only 90 so far. Only 7,000 oxygenated ventilators are available. It is said that 20,000 ventilators are needed.
"Scam has taken place in the purchase of medical equipment. Twice the market rate is paid to buy these equipment. The finance department says that there is no justification for these purchases. Accusation is heard that around Rs 3,300 crore worth scam has taken place in buying of medical equipment.
"The state BJP government has to bring out a white paper immediately giving complete details of the measures and expenses related to the control of coronavirus pandemic and take the people into confidence. If the ruling government continues its lacklustre attitude we will have no choice but to get onto the streets and protest," Siddaramaiah said.