Divest Health Dept from Sriramulu, Cong tells Yeddyurappa

"Sriramulu can't handle it. He should be removed. Health is a sensitive Department. Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa can give him some 'light' portfolio such as small savings," Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly, Siddaramaiah, told reporters here.

He said Sriramulu does not appear to be bothered by the rising number of such cases, and termed as "foolish" the latter's statement saying Karnataka is better off compared to some other States in terms of casualties.

Siddaramaiah said that Government hospitals have no facilities to treat patients suffering from dengue, chikungunya and A H1N1 and no medicines, leaving poor patients in the lurch.
He pointed out that poor patients can't afford "expensive" treatment offered by private hospitals, where the government's fiat does not run.

Meanwhile, Siddaramaiah also criticised the Chief Minister for reportedly assuring a certain community that they would be included in the Backward Classes list, ahead of September 13 bypolls to Gulbarga-south and Kadur Assembly constituencies.

"It's a clear violation of the code of conduct," he said, adding Congress is examining the possibility of filing a complaint with the Election Commission.