The opposition BJP on Thursday criticized Health and Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for the functioning of his department, alleging that the shortage of medicines and doctors was the reason for poor delivery of health services.
In an attempt to move an adjournment motion in the legislature, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok remarked that “the health minister is healthy but his department is sick”.
Senior BJP member CN Ashwath Narayan described the situation in the state as a “medical emergency”.
Alleging that the shortage of medicines has caused widespread problems across the state, Mr Ashok claimed that the government was planning to close down 270 primary health centers (PHCs). He said that the doctors who are now serving in these primary health centers will be shifted elsewhere, resulting in absence of doctors and medicines in the villages.
He referred to a statement by the government doctors’ union that patients were not receiving medicines on time and that a shortage of doctors and poor health services had led to clashes with patients.
However, UT Chairman Khader decided to move the motion to adjourn for discussion.
Income limit for PHH cards
The state government has informed the Legislative Assembly that it will consider revising the annual income limit used to identify Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, which provides subsidized food.
The current annual family income limit for identifying PHH was set at 1.2 lakh in 2017.
In reply to Mr. Ashwath Narayan, Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao said that almost a decade had passed since the limit was fixed and it needed to be reviewed. He was responding on behalf of Food and Civil Supplies Minister KH Muniyappa.
Earlier, Mr. Narayan had argued that the income limit should be raised, especially as the cost of living in Bengaluru has gone up significantly. Citing the provisions of the Food Security Act, he said that 50% of the urban population and 75% of the rural households should be covered under the PHH or Antyodaya schemes. He alleged that many eligible poor households, including auto drivers and taxi drivers, were denied PHH cards.
Mr. Rao said PHH ration cards have been issued to 1.24 million households in the state as against 1.09 million eligible families identified by the Centre. The 50% urban coverage under the law applies to the entire country, not the entire state. According to him, about 95% of households are already covered in rural areas.
Mr. Rao further noted that several ineligible families have received ration cards meant only for food distribution. However, people used these cards to access health care benefits, which increased the demand for them.
Published – 12 March 2026 20:35 IST
