SIT to probe irregularities in Rs 7,000-crore procurements during Covid pandemic in Karnataka

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil told reporters that the SIT would investigate the findings of the interim report.

“The Justice D’Cunha commission has submitted its (interim) report in 11 volumes and has looked into irregularities in the procurement of medical equipment worth Rs 7,223.64 crore,” he said.

The commission has also recommended recovering Rs 500 crore from the agencies responsible for the irregularities.

The commission, according to Patil, reviewed 55,000 documents from departments concerned before submitting its interim report. It is yet to review several documents related to procurement that took place during the pandemic, the minister added.

The minister also said that Siddaramaiah was empowered to finalise members of the proposed cabinet subcommittee.

In another major decision, the cabinet decided to extend the tenure of the Lokayukta SIT looking into alleged illegal mining by one year. Patil said that investigation in 113 cases of illegal iron ore export was pending, while there was a stay by the Supreme Court in two cases.

“Due to this, the cabinet decided to extend the tenure of the SIT,” Patil said.