Govt property leased out to Narayana Hrudayalaya

The BBMP's super specialty 100-bed hospital is being leased out to Narayana Hrudayalaya for 30 years.

The draft of the Cabinet note from the urban development department stated: "In view of the lease of the BBMP property, Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd proposes to offer subsidised treatment to the poor and BBMP pourakarmikas by allocating 10% of the total number of beds for free, including procedural costs and overheads."

The building is approximately 20,000 sqft. While the combined value of the land and the building is Rs 40 crore, Narayana Hrudayalaya proposes to bring in only Rs 20 crore for investment in medical equipment and working capital, it  said.  

Akhila Vasan, health activist and founder of Karnataka Janaarogya Chaluvali, said, "Why is the government handing over the property to a corporate hospital?" There should be a democratic ownership of the hospital, she said. When it is handed over to a corporate hospital, it becomes like charity-seeking, she added.  

Mahendra Jain, additional chief secretary, urban development department said, "It is to provide better service to the public and manage the hospital." He also said the BBMP had proposed handing over the hospital to Narayana Hrudayalaya, adding that the date is yet to be finalised.

BBMP commissioner N Manjunath Prasad was not available for comment when contacted by DH.