Updated

Bengaluru, Apr 13 (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has come under fire over his younger son being permitted to set up lab and diagnostic facility at government-run hospitals in alleged violation code of conduct for Ministers.

The lab will be run in partnership with Matrix Imaging Solutions India Private Limited, in which Siddaramiah's son Yathindra Siddaramaiah is a director.

Unfazed by the criticism, the Chief minister today denied any wrongdoing, saying, "He (his son) is a doctor by profession. His friend is having a company. He is one of the directors. They had participated in the tender. They are the lowest bidder. It is for service to the people, there is no money involved from the government."

The issue snowballed into a controversy as Leader of Opposition BJP in the Legislative Council K S Eshwarappa talking to reporters in Udupi demanded a probe into the matter.

"Just because he is Chief Minister's son there is nothing that he should not work. But, whoever it is, the tender has to be as per law and rules," Eshwarappa said.

"Chief Minister has already said that it is as per rules. So let there be investigation on this", he said, in an apparent poser why the government should shy away from probe.

Chirthahalli Mudlagiriyappa Rajeshgowda and Yathindra are directors of Matrix Imaging Solutions India Private Limited registered in 2009.

The code of conduct for Ministers (both Union and state) says that "after taking office, and so long as he remains in office, the Minister shall ensure that the members of his family do not start, or participate in, business concerns, engaged in supplying goods or services to that government (excepting in the usual course of trade or business and at standard or market rates) or dependent primarily on grant of licenses, permits, quotas, leases, etc from that government."

The code, posted on government website, also states that the Minister shall report the matter to the Prime Minister, or the Chief Minister as the case may be, if any member of his family sets up, or joins in the conduct and management of, any other business

A post on the Facebook page that updates about the state government programmes, dated April 7 said "The lab is being run in partnership with a private lab, Matrix Solutions. Being run under public-private partnership, the private company will provide the equipment, while the government would give space in the hospital to run the service."

It also claims the services provided at the centre will be cheaper.

Mangaluru: Cancel son's contract with govt hospital or party may expel you: Poojary tells CM

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Apr 13: "Chief minister Siddaramaiah must cancel the contract that has being signed between Bengaluru's Victoria Hospital and his son Dr Yathindra, and must tell him to do some other business as it will dent the Congress party's image in the state," Janardhan Poojary, former union minister.

Poojary was referring to reports that Matrix Imaging Solutions, a company partly owned by Dr Yathindra will be setting up a superspecialty lab and diagnostic centre in the premises of the government-run Victoria Hospital.

Addressing media persons at the district Congress office here on Wednesday March 13, Poojary said, "According to the code of conduct of the union government, a chief minister or his kin or close relative cannot have an agreement with any of the government departments while he is in power. Hence I want to ask Siddaramaiah, is it right to sign this contract? You (CM) must answer the people of the state. "

Addressing the CM, he said, "Build a hospital for your son, or let him build a hospital by himself. The party has come to power due to the efforts of its workers. You have assumed that there is no one to question you in the party. This has brought shame to so many party workers. You and your family must be a role model to all ministers and party workers.

"Just for a tender for establishing the lab you have lost your integrity and all the good deeds you did as chief minister have gone down the drain. You and your son must apologize to the people of the state. Everyday a new allegation is levelled against you. You are also playing with the lives of students. On behalf of the party, I request you to cancel the contract. If you do not do this, the party might think about expelling you and the party workers will not forgive you," he advised the CM.

"We have seen what happened to Dhrutarashtra due to the 'Putra Vyamoha'. The same thing happened to Yeddyurappa too. What moral right do you (Siddaramaiah) have to question the scams of Yeddyurappa?" he added.

Addressing BJP state president Yeddyurappa he said, "Today you are thinking of becoming the next chief minister. But who will make you the next chief minister? The people of the state are not fools. Look at the scams you have done. The court has summoned you once again. Please come out of that dream."

Former mayor of MCC Mahabala Maarla, Congress leaders T K Sudhir, Kallige Taranath Shetty and Arun Coelho were present.