Chamarajanagar (Karnataka), 7 Dec

With the number of maternal deaths in Ballari rising to five, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said action will be taken against the guilty based on the report by an expert committee, headed by the Development Commissioner, inquiring into it.

Last month, four women died in Ballari. Another patient, who was undergoing treatment at Ballari Medical College and Research Centre (BMCRC), died on Thursday night.

"Fifth deaths have occurred there now. When four deaths happened, I held a meeting, we had also discussed it during yesterday's cabinet meeting. The Health Minister (Dinesh Gundu Rao) is visiting there (Ballari) today (on Saturday, also Health department officials," Siddaramaiah told reporters here in response to a question.

Noting that maternal deaths could be linked to substandard Ringer Lactate solution, he said the government has already suspended the Drugs Controller and also has blacklisted the company that supplied the solution.

A committee headed by the Development Commissioner was formed to inquire into it and submit a report, he added. "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."

The CM had on 30 November chaired a high-level meeting regarding the recent maternal deaths in Ballari, following which he ordered an inquiry into such deaths, as he also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh to each victims' family.

Amid concerns that the maternal deaths could be linked to substandard Ringer Lactate solution that is administered intravenously to restore hydration and fluid balance in the body, he directed suspension of the Drugs Controller and blacklisting of Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical that supplied the solution and also to prosecute the company.

Meanwhile, BJP led by former Minister B Sriramulu is holding a protest in Ballari, accusing the government of not taking the deaths seriously, and holding it responsible.

Targeting Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, he said the Minister is visiting Ballari today, only to save his face when the opposition raises the issue during the Assembly session in Belagavi next week.

Demanding that the government ensure that such deaths don't recur, Sriramulu said, "Is Rs 2 lakh compensation enough? Such deaths should stop... Rs 1 crore compensation should be given to the families of each deceased."