Karnataka govt decides to constitute SIT to take action on report on COVID-19 'scam'
Bengaluru, Oct 10: The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Cabinet sub-committee to take further action on the report by the Justice Michael D' Cunha Commission of Inquiry which investigated alleged irregularities in the purchase of equipment and medicines during the COVID-19 pandemic when the BJP was in power.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
In the "partial" report submitted on August 31 in 11 volumes, the commission examined the expenditure to the tune of Rs 7,223.64 crore, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters later, adding, "they have not pinpointed that so much (scale) is misappropriation."
He, however, said the commission has recommended recovery of Rs 500 crore.
The Commission has sought reports from four zones in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and 31 districts of the state and it's yet to receive them, he said. The "partial" report has been submitted after verifying 55,000 files from the concerned departments.
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The Minister said based on the report, as criminal intent is also involved, it has been decided to constitute an SIT, and also a Cabinet sub-committee for "review and monitoring."
It has also been decided to begin the recovery proceedings immediately and to black list those companies or establishments involved in the wrongdoing.
"Wherever the criminal element is there, SIT will naturally look into it. Apart from that, the Cabinet sub-committee will be assisted by relevant officers to go into details of other malpractices. The details about those involved are not there in this report and it may come in the final report," Patil added.
The Cabinet also decided withdraw 43 criminal cases registered in various police stations in the State.
It also gave its approval for extending by an year the term of the SIT constituted in the Karnataka Lokayukta for investigating the illegalities in mining, with a probe into several cases still pending, he said.
Administrative approval has also been given for construction of "Reshme Bhavana" at an estimated cost of Rs 527.50 crore on 4.25 acres of land owned by the Department of Sericulture at Okalipuram here with entire investment by Karnataka State Minerals Corporation Limited (KSMCL).
The Cabinet also gave its nod for construction of hi-tech Cocoon market at Shidlaghatta in Chikkaballapura district at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crores.
It also decided to create Karnataka Skill Development Corporation under Companies Act, 2013.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
