New Delhi: The Karnataka government on Thursday resolved to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Cabinet subcommittee to take further steps based on the report submitted by the Justice Michael D’ Cunha Commission of Inquiry. This commission was set up to investigate alleged irregularities in the procurement of equipment and medicines during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the BJP was in power.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Siddaramaiah. According to law and parliamentary affairs minister H K Patil, the “partial” report, presented on 31 August in 11 volumes, reviewed expenditure amounting to Rs 7,223.64 crore. While the report did not specify a precise amount of misappropriation, the commission recommended the recovery of Rs 500 crore.
Report was prepared after examining 55,000 files
The commission has yet to receive reports from four zones of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and 31 districts across the state. The “partial” report was prepared after examining 55,000 files from the relevant departments.
Minister Patil stated that, given the potential involvement of criminal intent, the government has decided to set up an SIT and form a Cabinet subcommittee to oversee review and monitoring efforts. The government will also begin recovery proceedings and blacklist any companies or entities found guilty of malpractice.
Siddaramaiah appoints seven-member Cabinet subcommittee
Following this decision, CM Siddaramaiah appointed a seven-member Cabinet subcommittee led by deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar. Other members include home minister G Parameshwara, law minister H K Patil, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, rural development minister Priyank Kharge, labour minister Santosh Lad, and medical education minister Sharan Prakash Patil.
The Cabinet also resolved to withdraw 43 criminal cases lodged in various police stations across the state.
Additionally, approval was granted to extend by one year the term of the SIT, which had been established by the Karnataka Lokayukta to investigate illegal mining activities, as several cases remain under investigation, according to minister Patil.
