Concern over govt's move to handover Haji Abdullah's land to B R Shetty

Udupi, Sep 3: Activists and local organizations in Udupi have expressed concern over the State government's green signal to privatize a government hospital at Ajjarkad in Udupi by handing over its land to BRS Ventures Pvt Ltd, owned by Abu Dhabi-based Indian business tycoon B?R?Shetty.

The State cabinet had recently given its in principal approval to hand over the land of maternity and pediatric hospital falling under the district hospital at Ajjarkad to Mr Shetty's firm. In fact the land was donated to the government decades ago by Late Haji Abdullah Kasim Saheb Bahadur, a well known philanthropist and founder of the Corporation Bank.

Activists in the region have taken to social media to slam the government's green signal for privatization of the hospital. The development is also being hotly discussed on a WhatsApp group.

Expressing his opposition to the government's move, former Udupi MLA Raghupathy Bhat of BJP recalled that the land for the hospital had been donated by Haji Saheb with an intention that a state-run hospital come up there. Mr Bhat has urged the government to reconsider its decision.

“If everything is going to be privatised, then why should the government exist”, questioned one Francis on twitter. “Private hospitals are after money. How can the poor get treatment in such hospitals”, tweeted Abdul?Sattar Ucchila.

Prof K?Paniraj, who began a discussion on the WhatsApp group, said it is unfortunate that in the name of service, hi-tech hospitals are being started by the rich denying the middle class and the poor access to hospitals where treatment is available at an affordable cost.

Another former MLA of Udupi, U?R?Sabhapathi recalled that the S?M?Krishna government had proposed to hand over the hospital to Kasturba Medical?College. However, the government withdrew its decision after there was a public outcry.

Meanwhile, Udupi Zilla Muslim Okkootta, has strongly condemned the government's move and vowed to launch a battle against the decision to privatize the hospital. In a meeting held on Friday, the Okkoota has formed a 10 member struggle committee in this regard.

Reporters were briefed that in its meeting on August 24, the state Cabinet decided that three parcels of land belonging to the Health and Family Welfare department in Udupi be handed over to B R Shetty owned company BRS Ventures to develop a hospital.

However, the Cabinet note tells a different story. The note states that Shetty had come forward to build a pediatric and maternity hospital, a 400-bed super-speciality hospital and a community health centre. Mr Shetty's company had sought 15 months to complete the pediatric and maternity hospital and 24 months to finish the community health centre.

The note stated that the company would collect “minimum” charges for using facilities at the super-speciality hospital. Laboratory fees, doctor fees will be charged separately.