Bidar: Upa Lokayukta Justice B. Veerappa conducted surprise inspections across the city on Saturday, criticizing hospital and civic officials for poor public services and ordering suo motu action in both cases.
Inspection at BRIMS Hospital
At BRIMS Hospital, he expressed displeasure over the condition of beds and pillows and questioned the lack of basic amenities. Taking BRIMS director Dr. Shantala Koujalgi and district surgeon Dr. MS Bali to task, the Upa Lokayukta asked whether they would sleep on such beds. He questioned how crores of rupees were being spent when a six-storey hospital building lacked beds, water, and seating arrangements for patients' attendants. He suggested that weekly inspections by officials are the only way to improve the situation.
Cash Seized from Laboratory Technician
During the inspection, about Rs 1 lakh in cash and cheques worth another Rs 1 lakh were found with laboratory technician Sanjukumar at Bidar Medical College Hospital. Justice Veerappa questioned how a laboratory technician in a government hospital possessed such an amount. When asked to explain the source of the money, the technician failed to give a satisfactory answer. The Upa Lokayukta directed officials to seize the cash and register a suo motu case.
Inspection of Newly Built Bus Stand
Earlier in the day, Justice Veerappa visited the newly built bus stand after leaving the Habsi Fort Guest House. He inspected the canteen kitchen and examined the toilets. Finding a damaged commode in the men's toilet and waste dumped in flower pots, he pulled up the officials for the poor upkeep.
Inspection Team
Lokayukta superintendent Aravind, Kalaburagi Lokayukta SP Siddaraju, Bidar Lokayukta DSP Hanumantharaya, DC Shilpa Sharma, and Bidar City Municipal Corporation commissioner Mukul Jain accompanied the inspection team.
