On Thursday, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R. Ashoka accused the state government of failing to implement its promise to provide free insulin to children with Type-1 diabetes. Ashoka alleged that despite the government announcing the scheme several months ago, it has yet to be implemented, putting thousands of kids at risk. The BJP leader claimed that over 7,000 children across Karnataka are awaiting free insulin, with many economically weaker families forced to reduce insulin doses due to the high cost, ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per month.
Ashoka blamed the delay on the alleged negligence of Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited officials and delays in the tender process. He questioned the Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s control over his ministers, officials, and administration, stating that the government’s failure has stalled the implementation of the scheme. Government-run hospitals, including the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health and KIDS Hospital in Bengaluru, have not received insulin supplies, forcing some to rely on non-governmental organisations to meet demand.
Ashoka also criticised the government over the delay in supplying rice for the mid-day meal programme to students of Classes 9 and 10, claiming the shortage has persisted even after one-and-a-half months into the new academic year. He urged the Chief Minister to immediately complete the tender process and begin distributing free insulin to eligible children, warning that further delay would adversely affect thousands of vulnerable families.
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📰 Source: Mangalorean News