Karnataka government to set up SIT to take action on reports related to Covid-19 ‘scam’

The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Cabinet subcommittee to follow up on a report related to the Covid-19 ‘scam’.

The Justice Michael D Cunha Inquiry Commission has given this report after probing alleged irregularities in the procurement of equipment and medicines during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, during the previous BJP government in the state.

In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, it was decided to constitute SIT and cabinet sub-committee. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil later told reporters that in a ‘partial’ report submitted in 11 volumes on August 31, the commission examined expenditure worth Rs 7,223.64 crore.

The minister said that he has not pointed out misuse of such a huge amount but the commission has recommended recovery of Rs 500 crore. “The commission has sought reports from four zones of the Bruhat Bengaluru Municipal Corporation (BBMP) and 31 districts of the state and has not received the reports yet,” he said. A ‘partial’ report has been submitted after verifying 55,000 files from the departments concerned.”

Following the cabinet decision, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah constituted a seven-member cabinet subcommittee under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister HK Patil, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge, Labor Minister Santosh Lad and Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil are the members of the committee.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top