Karnataka Covid-19 scam: Panel recommends recovery of Rs 187.91 crore from government entities
Bengaluru: The Justice John Michael D'Cunha Commission, appointed to investigate alleged irregularities in Karnataka's Covid-19 procurement, has recommended the recovery of Rs 187.91 crore from three government entities and the initiation of criminal proceedings against several officials for lapses. Notices were issued to the National Health Mission (NHM) mission director, the director and chief engineer of the Health and Family Welfare Department, and the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation (KSMSCL) managing director for explanations regarding discrepancies, including 16 missing files and irregularities in civil works for 50 oxygen generation plants.
The report, based on four Covid-19 procurement investigation reports handed over to the Health Department, highlights a total expenditure of Rs 5,124 crore by the NHM, Health and Family Welfare Department, and KSMSCL during the pandemic, of which Rs 187.91 crore requires recovery. The commission recommended inquiries or criminal proceedings in 85 cases, citing violations of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act and other lapses.
Notices were also prepared for 456 suppliers due to contractual breaches, delays, quality concerns, and financial discrepancies. The department has proposed forming a team of seven officials, including a senior KAS officer, to handle action based on the commission’s findings, which includes setting up a separate office to frame charges, issue notices, record objections, and oversee the recovery process.
The report criticises the NHM mission director’s decision to outsource testing to private labs, calling it arbitrary, non-transparent, and designed to favour certain labs over fair competition. The NHM office retained Rs 3 crore from the Emergency Covid Response Package (ECRP) funds, with a portion allocated to private labs without the necessary technical capacity assessments. Payments totalling Rs 4.28 crore were reportedly made to labs for RT-PCR testing without administrative approval, in violation of the government’s temporary regulations prohibiting private labs from Covid-19 testing.
The commission's findings are now under review for further action by the Karnataka Health Department.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
