Scandal Unveiled: Karnataka COVID-19 Procurement Irregularities

Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, has revealed that Justice Michael D' Cunha's Commission has recommended prosecuting former chief minister B S Yediyurappa and minister B Sriramulu regarding COVID-19 equipment procurement irregularities. Allegations of a Rs 14 crore loss, attributed to rule violations and overpricing, demand a thorough investigation.

In a shocking revelation, Karnataka's Health Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced that Justice Michael D' Cunha's Commission has recommended legal action against former BJP Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and ex-minister B Sriramulu. The inquiry unearthed significant irregularities in COVID-19 equipment procurement, evidencing what the Congress dubbed as exploitative profiteering.

Allegations center around a staggering Rs 14 crore loss due to contraventions in procurement rules, including inflating prices and bypassing domestic suppliers in favor of Chinese producers. This breach calls for those involved, including officials, to face stringent actions under the Prevention of Corruption Act, marking it a pivotal moment in the state's governance history.

The unfolding saga includes the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee and a Special Investigation Team set to meticulously examine the preliminary findings and recommend subsequent actions. As the probe deepens, it threatens to unveil further discrepancies and tighten the noose around influential figures connected to this scandalous episode.

(With inputs from agencies.)