BJP members protest against maternal deaths in govt. hospitals

BJP members took out two protests in Belagavi on Saturday – the first to condemn the maternal deaths in government hospitals and the second seeking a faster probe into the recent death of a government employee in the Tahashildar office in Belagavi.

BJP members took out two protests in Belagavi on Saturday – the first to condemn the maternal deaths in government hospitals and the second seeking a faster probe into the recent death of a government employee in the tahshildar office in Belagavi.

Members of the City Women’s Wing took out a protest accusing the State government of failing to stop the deaths of women and children in government hospitals. They said that the State government had done nothing to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rate in the state.

They complained that the general administration in the State had completely collapsed and that the government had no control over government hospitals, including teaching hospitals attached to medical colleges. They accused government officers, doctors, pharmacists, and Ministers of ignoring the serious issue.

They submitted a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, demanding a high-level inquiry and implementation of necessary steps to be taken to reduce the maternal and infant mortality rates. BJP State Women’s Unit Secretary Sonali Sarnobat, city party unit president Geeta Sutara, Kalpana Itagi, Shilpa Hittalagiri, Nayana Bhasme and others were present.

The party workers took out another protest in Belagavi demanding swift action against officers accused of abetting the suicide of Rudresh Yadavannavar, a second division assistant in the Tahshildar office in Belagavi. They marched from Rani Channamma Circle to the DC’s office and submitted a memorandum. They also offered roses to commuters in buses, saying they were apologising on behalf of the State government for the fare increase.

They said that the State government had allowed officers like Tahsildar Basavaraj Nagaral to join duties soon after obtaining anticipatory bail in the case. They demanded that Mr. Nagaral and Ashok Kabbaliger, first division assistant, be dismissed from service. They also sought action against Siddu Dodavad, said to be a personal assistant to Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, for his alleged involvement in the case.

BJP Rural District Unit president Subhash Patil said Ms. Hebbalkar had to resign from the Cabinet, in order to ensure that the inquiry was impartial. He that the victim had circulated a message on social media accusing the three persons for harassing him and abetting his suicide. Mr. Patil also accused Congress leaders of not visiting the victim’s house to offer compensation or condolences so far.