K’taka panel to study report on ₹7kcr Covid spend scam To Probe Missing Files When BJP Helmed Govt

K’taka panel to study report on ₹7kcr Covid spend scam To Probe Missing Files When BJP Helmed Govt 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK 

Bengaluru : The Karnataka cabinet Thursday decided to refer a report on the alleged irregularities in the management of ₹7,000-crore Covid-19 funds to a committee headed by the chief secretary to analyse and suggest follow-up action to be taken on the findings of the report. Law and parliamentary affairs minister H K Patil said the report, submitted by retired judge John Michael Cunha, has made serious observations that “hundreds of crores” were misappropriated in the management of the Covid-19 pandemic, besides speaking specifically about the missing files. 

The BS Yeddyurappa-led BJP was in office at the time of the pandemic. The Cunha commission submitted its first report to chief minister Siddaramaiah last week, covering the expenditure of over ₹7,000 crore. The govt has extended the term of the commission by six months to facilitate submission of the final report. “After a thorough discus sion, the cabinet decided to ask a committee of officials led by chief secretary Shalini Rajaneesh and additional chief secretary L K Atheeq to review the inquiry report and submit its opinion within a month,” Patil said. The submission of the first report has led to a political slugfest with BJP leaders, including state president B Y Vijayendra and Chikkaballapur MP K Sudhakar, who was the health minister then, terming the move a political revenge by state govt, which is under pressure over the alleged Muda irregularities. While much of the report content is not known, Patil said the cabinet was briefed by Siddaramaiah that the report “highlighted that hundreds of crores were misappropriated”. 

The CM also told the cabinet that Justice Cunha was not given files he sought despite repeated requests. “The officials’ committee has been asked to find out the officers who did not give files to the commission of inquiry,” Patil said. Asked to give more details about the findings of the inquiry commission, Patil said he knew only what was briefed by the CM to the cabinet. To a question on why police have not been asked to review the report given by Cunha, Patil said all reports need not be given to police. “It is the decision of the govt,” he added.