Notice to state on hand-over of govt hospital to society

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The high court on Friday ordered that notices be issued to the state government and others following a petition filed in public interest, questioning a state government order to hand over the General Hospital in Bailhongal in Belgaum district to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, run by the KLE Society.

The petitioner, Rafeeq Mugud Sab Badiger, and others allege that the state has wrongly handed over the hospital to a private institution under the Arogya Bandhu scheme, citing lack of basic infrastructure to run the hospital.

A division bench, headed by Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen, issued notices to the state government, principal secretary to the health and family welfare department, and others.

The PIL alleged that the government transferred the hospital based on a letter addressed by the local MLA to the chief minister. They allege that it is the duty of the government to provide necessary facilities and infrastructure to the hospital.

Balakrishne Gowda bail plea adjourned

The high court on Friday adjourned the anticipatory bail plea of former H.D. Balakrishne Gowda, former KAS officer and eldest son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, to August 22. The bail plea was adjourned after the Lokayukta police sought time to file objections.

Mr Gowda is facing charges of possessing Rs 70 crore as disproportionate assets when he took voluntary retirement from the government service. It is currently valued around Rs 582 crore.