HAVERI, 22 MAY 

State MP and former chief minister Basavaraj Bommai has called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to revoke the state government's suspension of Jan Aushadhi Kendras within government hospitals in Haveri district. In a recent letter, Bommai highlighted the appeal from local Kendra owners, asserting that the suspension would undermine the central government's aim of providing affordable generic medicines to economically disadvantaged sections of society.

Criticism of the state government's decision has also come from Deputy Leader of Opposition Arvind Bellad, who alleged that the suspension has resulted in a shortage of 190 essential medicines in state hospitals, forcing poor patients to resort to expensive branded drugs. He branded it a "healthcare scam" that exploits the vulnerable for profit.

In a related development, Bommai addressed the inauguration of the renovated Gadag Railway Station, emphasising the importance of railways in making India a developed nation. Over Rs 23 crore has been invested in the station's renovation, enhancing facilities for over 5,000 daily passengers. He praised the Modi government's efforts to modernise railways, citing upgrades like broad gauge expansion and the introduction of high-speed Vande Bharat trains as vital for India's growth.