'Covid scam': Report recommends prosecution of Yediyurappa, Sriramulu, says Dinesh Gundu Rao
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday said Justice Michael D' Cunha Commission of Inquiry that investigated alleged irregularities in the purchase of equipment and medicines during the Covid-19 has recommended prosecution of then BJP Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and former minister B Sriramulu.
It is clear that there was a "loot" in the purchase of equipment and medicines during Covid-19, he said.
The report proves the Congress' allegation that the "then government made money over the dead bodies, misusing the situation", the minister added.
"...there had been lapses. No one could question them during the pandemic. Making use of that situation, government of the day looted and took decisions convenient for them, in violation of rules. As an opposition party then, we (Congress) tried to highlight the issue. After coming to power in the state we constituted a commission of enquiry headed by a former judge to probe and submit a report," Rao said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the commission has submitted its preliminary report and the second report might be submitted in six-seven months as there are lots of documents to look into.
"The Cabinet sub-committee formed has discussed the report, and it is true that then Chief Minister Yediyurappa and former Health Minister Sriramulu have been directly named...about Rs 14 crore loss has happened in procurement of PPE kits. It was procured in violation of rules at a higher price. Despite their availability in the country, they were procured from China -- Hong Kong," Rao said.
He advised Yediyurappa and Sriramulu to stay away from the November 13 Assembly bypoll campaigning, citing the serious allegations against them in the report.
He also said during the course of the investigation, charges may come out against the person who took charge as health minister, succeeding Sriramulu, indicating the current Member of Parliament K Sudhakar.
The preliminary report was submitted by Justice Michael D' Cunha on August 31.
The government decided to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and a Cabinet sub-committee last month to take further action based on the report.
Subsequently, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah constituted a seven member Cabinet sub-committee led by his deputy D K Shivakumar.
Home Minister G Parameshwara, Law Minister H K Patil, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge, Labour Minister Santosh Lad, and Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil are members of the committee.
Making further allegations, citing the report, the health minister said that the rate at which the procurement of PPE kits were negotiated and its terms and conditions were in violation of rules, favouring companies, resulting in them being paid Rs 14 crore more. "It has recommended for action against Yediyurappa and Sriramulu, and prosecution against them under Prevention of Corruption Act."
The government has no intention of any 'political vendetta,' he said.
Following the recommendation, the first round of the Cabinet sub-committee meeting was held, and after the bypolls are over, the second round of the meeting will be held, he added.
"There are several other discrepancies relating to procurements of oxygen cylinders, PPE kits, masks and medicines. The report has come. In some cases further investigation is needed and in some cases action can be initiated directly. How to go about it will be discussed in the next Cabinet sub-committee meeting," the minister said.
Action against those responsible, including officials, will be taken in accordance with the law. Officials should be served notices, responses should be elicited from them, Rao said. "Cases would be booked against people right away, wherever it can be done."
"Whether it is officials or ministers (former ministers), action will be taken. As this (scam) is of a large scale, we need to take every step legally. If not, stays may be obtained from courts on technical grounds and the cases could be closed easily. So we need to take steps cautiously following the principles of natural justice and fairness," he added.
To a question on the commission recommending recovery of Rs 500 crore, the minister said it has been decided to form a separate team after the bypolls and officials will be appointed to it.
"....the commission has recommended recovery from various companies, as procurements were made at higher costs, in some cases deliveries were delayed, there are issues with quality as well, in some cases--- there are such things. We will go about it in the days ahead," he added.
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2nd WT20I: Shafali, spin trio do star turns in India''s seven-wicket win
Visakhapatnam (PTI): Shafali Verma hit a blistering unbeaten 69 as India made short work of a paltry target to outclass Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Women’s T20 International here on Tuesday.
India now lead the five-match series 2-0 after another one-sided victory, having restricted Sri Lanka to a modest 128 for 9 through a collective display of disciplined bowling from the spin trio of seasoned Sneh Rana, ably complemented by young spinners Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani.
During the chase, vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (14) fell cheaply but Shafali, enjoying new found confidence after a stellar show in the World Cup final, sent the bowlers on a leather-hunt during her 34-ball knock, winning it for her team in just 11.5 overs.
The hosts have now completed back-to-back successful chases within 15 overs which speaks volumes about the unit's sky-high confidence.
Shafali's innings had 11 punchy boundaries apart from a maximum.
The floodgates opened when left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera bowled a few flighted deliveries and Shafali would step out everytime to hit her over extra cover. Her footwork against slow bowlers was immaculate whether stepping out to loft the ball or rocking back to punch or pull.
Seeing her confidence, the newly appointed Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (26 off 15 balls) also attacked as the duo added 58 runs in just 4.3 overs.
By the time Rodrigues was out trying to hit one six too many, the match as a contest was over. Shafali completed her half-century off just 27 balls and completed the formalities in a jiffy.
Earlier, off-spinner Rana, who got a look-in after Deepti Sharma was ruled out due to fever, showed her utility keeping the Lankan batters under tight leash with figures of 1 for 11 in 4 overs, including a maiden which certainly is a rarity in T20 cricket.
Charani, who made an impression during India's ODI World Cup triumph, took 2 for 23 in her quota of overs, while Vaishnavi after an impressive debut in the opening encounter, finished with 2 for 32, not letting the Islanders get easy runs in her second spell.
The last six wickets fell for just 24 runs, but what stood out during India’s bowling effort was their superb ground fielding. After a patchy show in the previous game, the improved sharpness in the field resulted in three run-outs.
Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu (31 off 24 balls) looked in good nick as she deposited length deliveries from seamers Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy over the ropes but it was Rana, who kept her quiet by repeatedly pitching on good length.
Unable to manoeuvre the strike and with the big hits suddenly drying up, Athapaththu chanced her arm at another delivery in which Rana had shortened the length slightly.
Not having transferred the weight into the lofted shot, Athapaththu's hoick was pouched cleanly by Amanjot Kaur at long-off.
This was after Athapaththu's opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne (1) had offered a simple return catch to Gaud.
Hasini Perera (22 off 28 balls) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (33 off 32 balls) did stitch a stand of 44 but they could never set the tempo against the Indian spin troika.
Once Hasini offered a tame return catch off a Charani full-toss, Sri Lankans never recovered and lost wickets in a heap towards the end.
