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    Former CM Siddaramaiah accuses Karnataka govt of Covid fund misuse

    Synopsis

    In response to accusations by the Congress, chief minister BS Yediyurappa fielded five of his cabinet colleagues who jointly addressed the media to respond to the allegations and shared information related to Covid expenditure.

    sidd_agenciesAgencies
    Siddaramaiah said that the state government had spent 4,167 crore on Covid-related works and asked the government to share details of how such a huge amount was spent.
    Bengaluru: Karnataka saw a politically charged atmosphere on Thursday, with Opposition leader Siddaramaiah accusing the BJP government of large-scale corruption in Covid-19 management and demanding judicial probe by a sitting High Court judge.

    In response to accusations by the Congress, chief minister BS Yediyurappa fielded five of his cabinet colleagues who jointly addressed the media to respond to the allegations and shared information related to Covid expenditure. Siddaramaiah said that the state government had spent 4,167 crore on Covid-related works and asked the government to share details of how such a huge amount was spent. “Misappropriation up to the tune of 2,000 crore is done by the chief minister and his colleagues. An inhumane act at a time of distress,” he said.

    Speaking to reporters the former chief minister said the government has purchased ventilators and PPEs for a price much higher than the actual market value. Soon, five ministers from Yediyurappa government — Basavaraj Bommai, CN Ashwath Narayan, R Ashoka, K Sudhakar and B Sriramulu — jointly addressed the press meet and dismissed the allegations levelled by the Congress leader. “We had to pay a higher price to purchase PPEs in the initial days because of huge demand for the protective equipment and lack of supply,” deputy CM CN Ashwath Narayan said.


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