Mangaluru: Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda too was not spared from the hardships associated with demonetisation after his brother’s death at Kasturba Manipal Hospital in Mangaluru on November 22. The hospital administration refused to accept old currency to clear the pending bills before releasing the body.

Sadananda Gowda’s brother Bhaskar Gowda, who was admitted to KMC Hospital in Mangaluru 10 days ago, died of jaundice on November 22.

When Sadananda Gowda accompanied by his family members, friends and party workers, arrived at the hospital to take the body, the hospital authorities declined to accept old currency notes to release the body. They insisted on new currency despite many sincere efforts by the union minister.

Finally the hospital accepted the payment in the form of cheque. Party workers accompanying minister Gowda were angered by the attitude of the hospital authorities.

The minister upset by the turn of events, said an enquiry will be ordered into the incident.

Most hospitals in the coastal city have stopped accepting old currency notes despite clear information from the union government to accept the same till November 24. Many common people are experiencing a lot of difficulties in the last few days and even protests have taken place.

If the Union minister himself is not spared in such a situation, then one can imagine the fate of the rest!