Drug scam allegation is sheer lie; I am ready for any probe: UT Khader

Mangaluru, May 21: Rubbishing the fresh allegations levelled against him by the Bharatiya Janata Party as baseless, health and family welfare minister UT Khader has said that the alleged drug purchase scam is the creation of shameless liars, who do not have common sense.

He was responding to the allegation made by a few BJP leaders in Bengaluru and Mangaluru that he was part of an alleged multi-billion drug purchase scam.

Mr Khader said that he was ready to face any kind of probe by any department or agency to prove that the new allegation is a sheer lie. He also warned of legal action against those who make false allegations and try to mislead people.

Allegations

On Friday NR Ramesh, a BJP leader and former BBMP corporator at a press meet in Bengaluru alleged that the state government was misusing National Health Mission (NHM) scheme by submitting fake bills, thereby causing huge losses to the Central government. He claimed that the racket involved Mr Khader and senior health officials of NHM and BBMP.

Ramesh said the Central government had allocated Rs 1,463.41 crore under the NHM to provide free treatment and medicines to patients in referral hospitals, maternity homes and specialty hospitals. However, not even 25 per cent of these funds have been utilized and fake bills have been submitted to cover nearly 75 per cent of the funds, he alleged.

Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada BJP spokesperson K Jayaram Shetty alleged Mr Khader of involving in the alleged drug purchase scam and demanded his resignation from his position as a MLA and as a minister. According to him the scam amount is Rs 1,250 crore.

Impossible

In his clarification, Mr Khader said that the State cannot misuse funds release by the Centre under the NHM as the process is completely transparent. He said that the state health department would not interfere in the affairs of BBMP's health division.

According to Mr Khader a corruption to the tune of Rs 1,400 crore is impossible in drug purchase because in the current year only Rs 66 crore was earmarked for the same.

The minister said that neither he nor the chief minister can interfere in drug purchase process. It has to be approved by three separate committees and everything is going on in a transparent way.

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Mangaluru: BJP accuses UT Khader of indulging in scam, demands resignation