The Karnataka government has announced plans to form a special task force to investigate allegations of a Covid scam that reportedly occurred under the previous BJP leadership. The probe will focus on uncovering any irregularities or mismanagement of resources during the pandemic response.
The Commission has requested reports from four zones within Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike (BBMP) and 31 districts across the state but they have not yet been received according to officials. A partial report has been submitted after reviewing 55,000 files from the relevant departments.
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government announced on Thursday the establishment of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Cabinet sub-committee to address the findings of the Justice Michael D Cunha Commission of Inquiry which investigated alleged irregularities in the procurement of equipment and medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic under the previous BJP administration.
The Minister stated that given the involvement of criminal intent in the report the government has decided to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) as well as a Cabinet sub-committee for review and monitoring. Recovery proceedings will commence immediately and companies or establishments implicated in wrongdoing will be blacklisted.
Wherever criminal elements are identified the SIT will investigate those matters. In addition the Cabinet sub-committee will work with relevant officials to examine details of other malpractices. The current report does not provide specifics about those involved but this information may be included in the final report Mr. Patil explained.
The Cabinet also resolved to withdraw 43 criminal cases that had been registered at various police stations across the state.
Furthermore approval was granted to extend the term of the SIT established under the Karnataka Loka Yukta for investigating illegal mining activities as several cases are still pending.
Administrative approval has been given for the construction of Reshme Bhavana at an estimated cost of Rs.527.50/- crore on 4.25 acres of land owned by the Department of Sericulture in Okalipuram with the entire investment provided by the Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Limited (KSMCL).
Additionally the Cabinet approved the construction of a high-tech Cocoon market in Shidlaghatta, Chikkaballapura district with an estimated cost of Rs.200 crore/-.
The Cabinet also decided to create the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation under the Companies Act of 2013.
This decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The partial report submitted on August 31 and comprising 11 volumes reviewed expenditures totalling Rs.7,223.64/- crore. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil informed reporters that the commission did not specifically identify the scale of misappropriation but recommended recovering Rs.500/- crore.
Additionally the commission has requested reports from four zones in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and 31 districts throughout the state which have yet to be received. The partial report was compiled after examining 55,000 files from the relevant departments.
