2 weeks Ago By DC Correspondent
Opposition leader R Ashoka has called for a Lokayukta investigation into the deaths of four lactating mothers at Ballari District Hospital, allegedly due to substandard IV fluids. Addressing the media after visiting the hospital on Sunday, Ashoka warned that he would personally file a complaint with the Lokayukta if the government fails to act. Ashoka held the state government responsible for the tragedy, alleging that influential forces overruled warnings from the former Drug Controller to procure the suspect fluids.
“This government is riddled with corruption and nepotism. The Chief Minister visited Ballari but failed to stop by the hospital to address this issue,” he charged. The state government has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for each victim’s family, which Ashoka dismissed as inadequate.
He demanded Rs 25 lakh per family, stating, “The government does not value human life.” According to Ashoka, the victims suffered liver failure and a sharp drop in blood pressure after being administered the fluids. He criticized the suspension of a recently appointed official as a scapegoating tactic and demanded the resignation of the responsible minister.
“The fault lies not with the doctors but with the administration,” he clarified. Ashoka accused the Congress-led government of failing to ensure proper healthcare. “Hospitals lack medicines, the treasury is empty, and governance has failed at every level.
Instead of addressing these issues, the administration is busy preparing for a rally in Hassan,” he said. Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Ashoka reiterated the need for a thorough Lokayukta probe to uncover the truth and ensure accountability..
