The Opposition BJP on Thursday criticised Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao over the functioning of his department, alleging poor delivery of health services due to shortage of medicines and doctors.
Seeking to move an adjournment motion in the Legislative Assembly, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok remarked that “the Health Minister is healthy, but his department is sick”.
Senior BJP member C.N. Ashwath Narayan described the situation in the State as a “medical emergency”.
Mr. Ashok alleged that the shortage of medicines had caused widespread problems across the State and claimed that the government was planning to close 270 primary health centres (PHCs). He said doctors currently serving in these PHCs would be shifted elsewhere, leading to the absence of doctors and medicines in villages.
He referred to a statement by the government doctors’ association claiming that patients were not receiving medicines on time and that shortage of doctors and poor health services had led to clashes with patients.
However, Speaker U.T. Khader decided to convert the adjournment motion into a discussion.
Income limit for PHH cards
The State government informed the Legislative Assembly that it would consider revising the annual income limit used to identify Priority Household (PHH) beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, which provides subsidised foodgrains.
The current annual family income limit for PHH identification was fixed at 1.2 lakh in 2017.
Replying to Mr. Ashwath Narayan, Mr. Dinesh Gundu Rao said that nearly a decade had passed since the limit was fixed and that there was a need to review it. He was responding on behalf of Food and Civil Supplies Minister K.H. Muniyappa.
Earlier, Mr. Narayan argued that the income limit should be increased, particularly because the cost of living in Bengaluru has risen significantly. Citing provisions of the Food Security Act, he said 50% of the urban population and 75% of rural households should be covered under PHH or Antyodaya schemes. He claimed that many eligible poor households, including auto and taxi drivers, had been denied PHH cards.
Mr. Rao said PHH ration cards have been issued to 1.24 crore households in the State, compared to 1.09 crore eligible families identified by the Centre. The 50% urban coverage under the Act applies to the entire country and not statewide. In rural areas, he said, about 95% of the households is already covered.
Mr. Rao further noted that several ineligible families had obtained ration cards meant only for food distribution. However, people were using these cards to access healthcare benefits, which had increased the demand for them.
Published – March 12, 2026 08:35 pm IST
