Karnataka Government Takes Swift Action on Alleged Covid Scam with SIT Formation
Bengaluru – In a decisive move, the Karnataka government has accelerated its investigation into the alleged Covid scam that transpired during the previous BJP administration. Within hours of announcing the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a cabinet sub-committee, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has been appointed to lead the latter.
On Thursday night, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah established a seven-member cabinet sub-committee, which includes prominent ministers such as Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Law and Tourism Minister H.K. Patil, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, IT and BT Minister Priyank Kharge, Labor Minister Santhosh Lad, and Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil.
The urgency behind this formation stems from the interim report submitted by the retired Justice John Michael D’Cunha Commission, which has indicated substantial irregularities and recommended that actions be initiated in response to the findings.
Siddaramaiah emphasized the necessity of the cabinet sub-committee to facilitate immediate actions based on the commission’s report, which spans 11 volumes and investigates the misappropriation of approximately Rs 7,200 crore. The report highlights the recommendation to recover Rs 500 crore from implicated parties.
Minister H.K. Patil reiterated that the SIT will focus on the criminal dimensions of the alleged scam, which includes the mismanagement of resources intended for Covid relief. The investigation aims to illuminate the roles of various entities involved, with plans to blacklist companies and institutions that collaborated in the alleged misconduct.
The rivalry between Shivakumar and K. Sudhakar, the former Health Minister and current BJP MP, adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation. Sudhakar is at the center of the allegations, and this investigation is expected to reignite discussions around the political fallout from the previous administration’s handling of the pandemic.
Patil stated that the SIT will continue its probe based on the commission’s findings, which include verification of 55,000 files across various departments and the collection of reports from four zones of Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and 31 districts.
As this investigation unfolds, it is likely to capture public attention and political discourse in Karnataka, given the magnitude of the allegations and the significant sums involved. The government’s commitment to accountability and transparency in handling this serious matter will be closely monitored by both the public and opposition parties.
