Covid Fraud: Shivakumar Vows to Hold Accountable Those Who Profited
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Bengaluru, Dec 7 (NationPress) Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar emphasized on Saturday that the state administration will take stringent actions against those who have unlawfully profited from the alleged Covid fraud case.
The government has established a commission led by High Court Justice John Michael D’Cunha to investigate the alleged irregularities. This commission has found former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa and former Health Ministers B. Sriramulu and K. Sudhakar culpable in irregularities related to Covid management.
On Saturday, a cabinet sub-committee, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, convened at Vidhana Soudha to evaluate the recommendations of Justice Cunha’s commission and determine subsequent actions.
“Investigations are underway based on Justice Michael Cunha’s committee recommendations regarding Covid management-related irregularities. Those who misappropriated Covid funds will face consequences. Our government has reviewed Justice John Michael Cunha's findings on corruption during the pandemic. We are currently analyzing the report and have directed officials to act within legal bounds as per the committee's suggestions. Additionally, investigations will extend to departmental officials, and criminal charges may be initiated against certain individuals, as indicated in the report,” stated Shivakumar.
He further mentioned that the government does not accept the findings suggesting no faults in the Chamarajanagar oxygen tragedy during the Covid pandemic.
“We are calling for a renewed investigation into this incident. Both CM Siddaramaiah and I visited the hospital and saw the aftermath where 36 individuals lost their lives, yet the then-minister reported only three deaths. I personally reached out to the families of the deceased,” he remarked.
Addressing Covid testing irregularities, he noted, “Within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) jurisdiction, 84 lakh RT-PCR tests were reportedly conducted, amounting to Rs 502 crore, of which Rs 400 crore has already been disbursed. Conducting 84 lakh tests implies an average of two tests per household in Bengaluru.”
He added that at Kidwai Hospital alone, 24 lakh tests were allegedly conducted, resulting in a bill of Rs 146 crore, despite lacking the necessary technical capacity or ICMR authorization.
“The execution of such a high volume of tests at a single site raises significant concerns regarding logistics and overcrowding. We will scrutinize the entire process and decisions made outside legal parameters,” he asserted.
He announced that a committee of retired officials would be constituted to oversee the investigation. “We aim to avoid unnecessary harassment, so this committee will assist in ensuring fairness,” he clarified.
In response to the former health minister's allegations of a political conspiracy, he stated, “There’s a saying: When a pumpkin thief is accused, they check their shoulder. I’ve not mentioned him, so why is he reacting? The report implicates officials, politicians, private hospitals, and laboratories in corruption under Sections 71 and 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.”
When queried about filing FIRs, he responded, “Officials are managing the investigation and will take appropriate actions independently. We will not interfere. In the assembly, we accused the BJP government of profiting from deceased individuals. The public is outraged by this. Those who misused Covid funds will be held accountable,” reiterated Shivakumar.
He also mentioned that inquiries are ongoing regarding the procurement of PPE kits and equipment, with notices issued to some individuals.
Concerning the alleged financial misconduct in PPE kit and equipment procurement, he said, “Officials are overseeing the process. Notices have been dispatched to certain individuals, and we are monitoring this closely.”
