BBMP chief to issue notices to 28 staffers in alleged Covid scam

BENGALURU: The BBMP Chief Commissioner is preparing to issue notices to 28 officials who were allegedly involved in irregularities during the Covid-19 pandemic, based on the Justice (retd) Michael D’Cunha report. The officials will be asked to respond to the allegations of corruption and irregularities.

The notices will pertain to the discrepancies in the expenses incurred during the pandemic. The officials will be required to provide explanations for the discrepancies. According to the Justice Michael D’Cunha’s report, there was a scam of more than Rs 2,000 crore in the purchase of healthcare materials including PPE kits.

The report alleges irregularities in purchasing three lakh PPE kits in April 2020 from two Chinese companies worth Rs 14 crore. An FIR has already been registered over the alleged corruption in the purchase of masks, PP kits and other equipment worth Rs 167 crore during the Covid pandemic.

Officials who have retired or are on deputation will also be issued notices and they will be required to respond to the notices within 15 days. BBMP Health Department Special Commissioner Vikas Suralakar has warned that officials should provide explanation for the differences in the expenditures. The officials will also be required to provide information on the expenses incurred during the pandemic. If the officials fail to respond to the notices, further action will be taken as per law.

Suralakar said that a report has been received regarding discrepancies in Covid-19 expenditures. “There are discrepancies in expenses across BBMP’s four zones. Notices will be issued to officials seeking an explanation for the discrepancies. The officials will include health officers, MOH, and engineers. Discrepancies have been found in the purchase of Covid-19 care essentials, PPE kits and payments made to labs. Officials will be required to provide explanation and further action will be taken accordingly. This is not the final list of officials; more may be added. A report will be submitted to the chief commissioner, and action will be taken immediately”, he said.