Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath has exposed a significant misappropriation of funds at the Wenlock District Hospital, alleging that lakhs of rupees intended for purchasing medicines for poor patients were misused. Kamath claimed that the corruption extends beyond Dakshina Kannada and violates the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act. He criticized the lack of accountability, stating that only a lower-level official has been suspended while senior officials remain protected and the scandal is being downplayed.
Kamath expressed frustration over the lack of action despite inquiries confirming the involvement of higher-ups. He accused the health department commissioner of not initiating a high-level probe due to political interference. The MLA questioned the health and family welfare minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, for his silence on the issue, suggesting it indicates a tacit acceptance of government-sponsored corruption.
The MLA highlighted the severe impact of corruption on the Dalit community in Karnataka, citing the suicide of a government officer that unveiled a Rs 187 crore scam within the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation Limited. Despite initial efforts to shield the accused, opposition protests led to a minister’s resignation and increased scrutiny from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Kamath also accused the state government of diverting Rs 25,000 crore allocated for Dalit welfare to other purposes and called for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s resignation on moral grounds, referring to the MUDA land scam as further evidence of government corruption.