Karnataka AYUSH Dept Under Fire: MLA Alleges Corrupt Procurement, Expired Drugs Sent to Mangaluru Hospital
Bengaluru: Serious allegations of corruption in the procurement and supply of medicines by Karnataka's AYUSH Department have surfaced, prompting political and administrative concern, after Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath accused officials of irregular purchases, distributing expired medicines, and tampering with sealed drug packets.
Kamath alleged that medicines were procured through questionable methods and that expired stock was supplied to the AYUSH Hospital in Mangaluru after breaking original packaging. He claimed that the medicines were sourced from districts such as Hassan and Chikkamagaluru before being diverted to Mangaluru.
According to him, “officials, driven by greed for money, supplied expired medicines, endangering public lives.” He demanded the immediate suspension of those responsible and sought a thorough investigation by the Karnataka Lokayukta.
Raising the matter during the Karnataka District in Focus (DIF) Programme chaired by Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Kamath submitted documents supporting his claims. The minister then instructed the Zilla Panchayat CEO to launch an inquiry, stating that “strict action would be taken if the preliminary inquiry finds lapses on the part of officials. There is no question of protecting anyone.”
Kamath added that he chose not to politicise the issue and instead directly handed over the evidence to the minister and district authorities. “I did not want to create panic in society. Instead, I wanted to stop this racket from supplying expired medicines in Mangaluru,” he stated, warning that he would protest if action was not taken.
The Hindu reports that the allegations have intensified questions about transparency, procurement standards and accountability mechanisms within the AYUSH sector in Karnataka, with the state now awaiting the findings of the inquiry.
