New Delhi (Agency): The Karnataka government has established an inquiry commission to investigate alleged mishandling of COVID-19 resources during the period when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was in power. The commission, headed by retired High Court Judge John Michael D’Cunha, is expected to submit its findings within three months.
According to an official order released on Friday, the government has taken “serious note” of charges leveled by the Public Accounts Committee in a report issued in July-August. The report highlights alleged irregularities in the procurement of medicines, medical equipment, and mismanagement of oxygen supplies that led to fatalities.
The government has mandated that all relevant departments should cooperate with the inquiry. They must provide all necessary documents, staff, office space, stationery, and other equipment to facilitate the investigation.
The current ruling party, the Congress, had previously accused the BJP of large-scale irregularities in the management of the COVID-19 crisis. It had pledged to conduct an impartial investigation into these allegations if it came into power. The setup of this inquiry commission is seen as a step toward fulfilling that promise.
This move by the Karnataka government comes amid ongoing discussions and debates around the handling of the COVID-19 crisis. With this inquiry, the government aims to hold accountable those responsible for any mishaps and ensure that similar mistakes are not repeated in future health crises.
It remains to be seen what impact the commission’s findings will have on future governance and crisis management strategies.