The Karnataka state cabinet has taken a significant step by approving the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged irregularities amounting to Rs 7,200 crore in the procurement of medicines and medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This inquiry will focus on the period from 2019 to 2023, under the leadership of former Chief Ministers BS Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP government.
This investigation was prompted by an interim judicial report submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by retired High Court judge Justice John Michael D’Cunha.
The decision to establish the SIT was made during a cabinet meeting that reviewed the findings of Justice D’Cunha’s panel report.
The report highlights irregularities in the procurement of medical supplies, including masks, medications, oxygen cylinders, and PPE kits, with many purchases lacking proper government approval. It also alleges manipulation of death toll statistics during the pandemic. Patil mentioned that the commission has collected 55,000 documents from various departments and has produced an interim report consisting of 11 sections. Document collection is ongoing, with 31 districts and four BBMP zones yet to be accounted for.
Initial concerns about the alleged scam were raised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by Patil, which called for a comprehensive investigation in its July 2023 report. In light of these findings, a sub-committee has been formed to assess equipment pricing and investigate implicated officials, with intentions to blacklist involved companies.
HK Patil, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, indicated that the report recommends recovering Rs 500 crore, following the suspension of a senior official for violating procurement regulations.
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