BENGALURU: With bypolls around the corner, the Congress government in Karnataka has stirred fresh controversy on Saturday by allegedly leaking parts of an inquiry commission’s preliminary report, which accuses the then BJP govt in the state of financial mismanagement during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Justice Michael D’Cunha Commission of Inquiry’s preliminary report has identified financial mismanagement in the procurement of medical supplies during BJP-led administration and recommended the prosecution of (then chief minister) Yediyurappa and (then health minister) Sriramulu under the Prevention of Corruption Act,” said health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
He added that the full report was expected in six to seven months.
The controversy stems from the commission’s preliminary report submitted on Aug 31 accusing BJP govt of spending around Rs 7,224 crore on medical equipment and PPE kits during the pandemic.
State govt subsequently set up an SIT and a subcommittee to decide the next course of action.
Yediyurappa, in a strong rebuttal, dismissed the accusations as politically motivated. “This is an old issue being dredged up for political gain. We committed no scam. Everything was done within legal parameters,” he said.
Sriramulu echoed Yediyurappa’s defense, branding the allegations as “politically motivated”.
Earlier, Gundu Rao accused the former BJP govt of profiting from the pandemic. “There was a loss of about Rs 14 crore in the procurement of PPE kits. They were purchased from China, even though domestic supplies were available, and at inflated prices. There are several discrepancies in the procurement of oxygen cylinders, masks, and medicines,” Rao alleged.
Rao added that notices would soon be served to the officials involved, and that charges would be filed where possible. “While some cases will require further investigation, action can be taken immediately in others,” the minister said.
On the commission’s recommendation to recover Rs 500 crore, Rao has noted that a separate team would be formed to pursue the recovery after the bypolls. He also hinted that the investigation could implicate K Sudhakar, who succeeded Sriramulu as the state health minister.