Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has filed its first FIR in connection with a massive Rs 167 crore scam related to Covid-19 procurements. The scam involves the alleged misappropriation of funds during the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits and other medical supplies between September 2020 and June 2021.
Alleged Financial Misconduct and Key Accused
The complaint, filed by Dr. Vishnuprasad M, Chief Accounting Officer and Financial Adviser to the Medical Education Department, points to significant financial misconduct. Among those named in the FIR are former Director of the Medical Education Department, Dr. Girish PG, and several officials from the Accounts and Audit Department, including Raghu PG and Health Equipment Officer Muniraju N. Private companies, such as Laj Exports (Bengaluru) and Prudent Management Solutions (Mumbai), are also implicated.
Procurement Details and Missing Documentation
The complaint highlights extensive procurement of medical supplies during the pandemic, including 15.5 lakh PPE kits worth Rs 203.6 crore and 42.1 lakh N-95 masks valued at Rs 9.7 crore. A key focus of the investigation is a contract awarded on August 18, 2020, to Laj Exports for the supply of 2.5 lakh PPE kits, valued at Rs 41.3 crore. Despite the contract terms, which included a 15-day delivery window, there is no documentation confirming the delivery of these supplies to hospitals.
Irregularities in Additional Contracts
Further complicating the matter, Prudent Management Solutions allegedly received an additional contract for 55,784 PPE kits worth Rs 7.3 crore. This contract is believed to have bypassed established procurement procedures. The FIR cites violations of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act, suggesting a systematic breach of rules and mismanagement in the procurement process.
