Michael D’cunha committee recommends action against Yediyurappa, Sriramulu for Covid ‘scam’

BENGALURU: Under attack over various issues, the present Congress government in the state may use the issue of the previous government purchasing PPE kits from Chinese companies at high prices as a tool to attack the opposition BJP. The Congress is making necessary preparations to take action against former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and former health minister B Sriramulu after the Justice Micheal D’Cunha committee presented its interim report on the allegedC Covid scam.

The Michael D’Cunha committee has recommended prosecution of former CM Yediyurappa and former Health Minister Sriramulu as they were involved in the PPE kits scam. The committee has recommended that a case should be booked under Section 7 and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The report alleges irregularities in purchasing 3 lakh PPE kits in April 2020 from two Chinese companies worth Rs 14 crore.

The then CM recommended an investigation against and the present state government is likely to decide the next course of action after the by-elections are over.

A cabinet sub-committee, headed by Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, has already been formed, and the first meeting discussed the primary aspects. After the bypolls, the second meeting of the cabinet sub-committee will be held, in which it is most likely to decide on the prosecution process against Yeddyurappa and Sriramulu.

Justice Michael D’Cunha committee interim report recommendatins include:

Irregularities in purchasing PPE kits from two Chinese companies in April 2020.

Approximately 3 lakh PPE kits were bought at high prices.

Rs 14 crore is illegal (scam) in buying PPE kit itself.

No tender was called, and purchase norms and procedures were ignored.

The purchase was made on the orders of former CM Yediyurappa and ex-Health Minister Sriramulu.

Action is recommended against BS Yediyurappa and Sriramulu under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 7, including investigation and filing of a criminal case.