Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao Backs D'Cunha Report on COVID Allegations

By A Staff Reporter

Bengaluru, Karnataka — Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao expressed strong support for the D'Cunha Commission's report, which recently surfaced, bringing forth allegations of corruption against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and former Health Minister B. Sriramulu. Addressing the media, Rao affirmed the authenticity of the report and underscored its implications, stating that the findings are factual and based on extensive investigation.

"The D'Cunha Commission clearly indicts former CM Yediyurappa and Minister Sriramulu," Rao stated. "This report is thorough and independent, prepared over 1.5 years by a senior, high-integrity judge, looking into various procurement irregularities during the COVID-19 pandemic." Rao emphasized that the report’s conclusions about inflated purchases of ventilators, masks, sanitizers, medicines, and oxygen cylinders reflect significant financial misconduct.

According to Rao, the government incurred losses of nearly Rs 14 crores due to agreements with foreign companies for supplies that were locally available at lower costs. The report details transactions where the state government allegedly paid inflated prices to Chinese firms, raising concerns about potential profiteering at a time of crisis.

In response to accusations of political vendetta, Rao clarified that the investigation was conducted by an independent commission, not influenced by the current government. "This is a commission report, not a partisan document. It’s not a decision made overnight but an evidence-backed report that took time to compile, revealing details we had suspected during the pandemic," he added.

Rao also mentioned that the implicated officials are entitled to legal recourse but stressed that the findings are serious and backed by substantial evidence. The report, which spans over 1,500 pages, has exposed numerous procurement irregularities, ultimately affirming concerns raised during the COVID crisis about the mismanagement of funds and resources by the former administration.