Belagavi, Dec 11 — The Karnataka unit of the BJP has slammed the Congress‑run state administration after a High Court judge overturned the government’s decree ordering the shutdown of Jan Aushadhi outlets that were operating within government hospital sites across the state.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna, who headed a three‑bench panel, nullified the decision to close all Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) centres, or Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs), that were situated on hospital campuses. The ruling came after a batch of petitions from centre owners and public‑interest litigants challenged the directive.
Speaking in Belagavi on Thursday, BJP state president and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra said, “Jan Aushadhi centres are a gift and a special programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the poor of this country. The poor receive medicines at affordable prices here. Unfortunately, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah cannot tolerate the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
He added, “They keep shouting that Siddaramaiah is an ‘Ahinda’ Chief Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who comes from the backward classes, has introduced many popular schemes. The Siddaramaiah‑led government conspired to create obstacles for one of his programmes meant to provide low‑cost medicines to people,” Vijayendra alleged.
“I am happy that the High Court has struck down the state government’s order banning Jan Aushadhi centres. Through this, I request and urge CM Siddaramaiah to stop engaging in politics of hatred and build a cordial relationship with the Centre. It will benefit the people and the state,” he said.
Opposition leader R. Ashoka countered, saying, “The Karnataka Congress government has always been an ATM for the high command. They issue tenders wherever there is money. Jan Aushadhi centres provide medicines at 60 to 70 per cent lower prices. People have welcomed the scheme. Only medicines approved by the Centre are sold in Jan Aushadhi units.”
“We don’t get commissions. So they find excuses to sabotage the scheme. Poor patients need relief, and the government should not betray them. This government is cheating them. It’s all about commission. The entire government is drowning in commission business,” charged Ashoka.
“They don’t have the capacity to build new hospitals. This is a scheme of the Centre, not of private individuals. They should have welcomed it and expanded the number of centres,” he added.
Tejasvi Surya, president of the BJP National Yuva Morcha and MP from Bengaluru South, noted, “The Karnataka High Court has quashed the politically motivated Government Order that attempted to close down Jan Aushadhi Kendras in government hospitals.”
“This setback for the Congress government should serve as a lesson that political vendetta must never come in the way of public interest,” he stated.
Surya emphasized that the PMBJP has enabled the poor to save more than ₹30,000 crore in medical expenses over the last decade by supplying affordable generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
mka/svn
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
