Bengaluru, Jul 23: The opposition party Congress on Thursday demanded a judicial enquiry in the alleged scam in coronavirus related medical equipment procurement by Karnataka government.
However, Deputy chief minister Ashwathnarayan and Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai denied all the allegations.
Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah and Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar addressed a press conference here and demanded a judiciary enquiry under a sitting High Court judge to investigate "BJP's Corona Scams."
"I made allegations on July 3. Nobody has denied it officially. On July 20, Karnataka Health Minister B Sriramulu and Deputy Chief Minister Ashwathnarayan in a press conference denied my allegations. Today, I furnished 14 documents. If you go through it, you will find corruption and misappropriation in medical equipment purchase," Siddaramaiah said.
"The documents are available with the government, how can they deny their own documents. They are telling that they have spent only Rs 324 crore but according to me the government has spent more than Rs 4,000 crore and nearly Rs 2,000 crore went in the minister and bureaucrats' pockets," he said.
He further said, "Centre has procured 50,000 ventilators under PM Cares at a cost of Rs 4, lakh per unit. Tamil Nadu has procured at Rs 4.78 lakh. But in our state, the price is between Rs 5.6 lakh to Rs 18.2 lakh. Is this not corruption?"
Siddaramaiah also dared the government to step up for an enquiry if they are "honest and transparent".
"I am demanding, constitute a judicial committee headed by sitting high court judge, let there be an enquiry in detail," he said.
DK Shivakumar said that his party has made the allegations based on government documents and media reports showing corruption.
"Karnataka government is purchasing equipment at high rates. We have exposed BJP's Rs 2,000 crore scams today. The government's main focus is to loot. They have paralysed the state administration," he said.
Denying the Congress' allegations, Deputy Chief Minister, Ashwathnarayan said that the government is ready to discuss this in the Assembly house.
"They have alleged Rs 700 crore misappropriation by health department but we have shown we have spent only Rs 290 crore," he said.
Giving details of the SDRF expenditure towards COVID-19 containment he said, "We have released Rs. 23,220.01 lakh in SDRF accounts and they have spent Rs Rs. 15, 918.99 lakh in various activities like migrant relief measures, measures for quarantine, sample collection, screening from March 14 to July 16."
Karnataka Home Minister, Basavaraj Bommai, said, "Karnataka government has spent Rs 506 crores for medical equipment and Rs 1,611 crores for other activities related to combatting COVID-19. So, we have spent Rs 2,117 crores as of now and there is no corruption in it."
Comments
who cares? go to hell
Media made her popular. No valve for this award. I strongly support raviji for this.
I wish that in your next birth you born as a girl in a backward country like Pakistan or Afghanistan , and if then you are able to raise your voice after being shot at and then if you still stay strong and become an inspiration to millions and the word then and only then would you deserve the respect that your are seeking so desperately.
Malala was also a western drama.... More people deserve to be honoured..... But why shriji just opposed malala only..... Shows comunal mentality clearly
I agree with Ravishankarji.
I agree with Ravishankar ji.
Bro Mohammad, #2
There is medicine for JEALOUSY, HATE, CRIME, EVIL habits... But the person should take the change to change himself.
Let the Jealous person read the biography of Prophet Muhammad Pbuh. and also let him read the QURAN which is the Guidance for humanity and how to live life according to the law of God. JEALOUSY will run away automatically if We PONDER on what DIVINE knowledge says to us.
Mr sri sri sri
We all know that your work/service doesn’t come free free free
It’s not a Nobel Prize offer Mr sri sri sri we all know that, at the most, it might have been just a nomination for the prize, which are in hundreds and this information is for you for free free free
He is the no. one duplicate & feku. any one shake him well all his originality will come out. No doubt one day will be soon.
Master Ravi Jeeee First I Thought would have our Great Leader Master Scorer C T Ravi jeee he is right person to award Nobel Peace award. any way Sri / Siri says he was rejected and against to Ms Malala's selection, you all surely know very well, Malala totally un fit to award it but discriminated fools around the world chosen not Maste Narendra Modi selected Ms Malala because you all fools of this criminal minded world knows against of a group or de polarise the entire group. Sri Sri is good to magic man in this world making beautiful woman Fools.
Jai Hoo Narendra Modi.
They gave noble prize for Obama, for what???....I did not find any reason for it....Malala is an inspiration and hope for millions of underprivileged girls around the world...
Really... these awards should be given to Narendra Modi, Mohan Bhagwat, for their rolE to implement successfully Acche din in the country, if this award would have been given to Ravishankar could be better also...Now all are silent this fellow started Barking
Malala Yousafzai has done nothing to deserve Nobel Peace Prize
why did you congratulate #Malala two years ago if you don't think she deserved the @NobelPrize?
WHO CARES FOR U SRI SRI SRI ,
BEC U RAISED THE SLOGAN PAKISTAN ZINDABAD PLEASE GO TO PAKISTAN U HAVE NO RIGHT TO STAY HERE ANYMORE ....
I agree with him. I love Malal for her bravery, but when it comes to Nobel prize what was her contribution?
100% i Agree With Shri Shri Ravi Shanker....
After being shot in the head.. she is still fighting for the rights of girls and children.. you say that she is not deserving one.. then who deserves more??
Shri Shri Ravishankar please stop your non-sense,
This swamiji dont have any work simply putting nose to everything. if this swamiji dont want any award let him sit at ashrama, there is no rule to follow him,
Ravi shankar received padmavibhushana this year,
There is no Medicine for JEALOUSY. Dont waste your precious time try to learn about ISALM. And be prepared for your Future.
Dear Sri,
First pay the Pending TAX to the Govt then give the lecture.You did right thing of giving back the Nobel prize as you your self know that you really dont deserve.
He is a Man with Two Faces.
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