Karnataka suspends official over alleged financial irregularities during pandemic
The Karnataka government has suspended a senior official in the state accounts and auditing department following an inquiry into alleged irregularities in the procurement of PPE kits and medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
GP Raghu, who was the financial advisor to the department of medical education during the pandemic, is accused of violating the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act and purchasing equipment without government approval.
“Upon review of the investigation report dated 27.12.2023, it is clear that tender procurement rules were violated while purchasing PPE kits and other equipment by the Directorate of Medical Education,” the suspension order read.
The official, who was serving as a financial advisor at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology at the time of his suspension, was found guilty of violating procurement norms and dereliction of duty.
The suspension comes following the findings in the interim report filed by a commission formed to look into the various misappropriations that happened during the COVID-19 pandemic. The panel led by retired Karnataka High Court judge Justice John Michael D’Cunha handed over the interim report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on August 31, 2024.
SIT LIKELY TO PROBE FURTHER
The inquiry commission, formed by the Congress government, uncovered more than Rs 7,000 crore worth of financial irregularities in COVID-19-related procurement. There is also reference to the missing files. The report has taken into account the public accounts committee report and many other details and alleges violations that occurred during the BJP government’s tenure, when Dr. K. Sudhakar served as Karnataka’s health minister.
The Karnataka Cabinet decided to hand over the interim report to a team of senior officials for further assessment. It examines alleged irregularities in COVID-19 procurement and other violations during the pandemic under the previous BJP administration.
The matter is set to be discussed in the cabinet tomorrow. Sources suggest that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) may be formed to investigate the irregularities further.