Cong flays K’taka government for lapses in Covid management

Mysuru/ Karwar: Congress legislators H P Manjunath, Yathindra Siddaramaiah and R Dharmasena on Friday criticised the state and the Union governments for their alleged failure to contain Covid-19.
Speaking to reporters here, they condemned the governments for not releasing one-time cash relief that was announced for auto drivers and others in the unorganised sector who have been during the lockdown.
Hunsur MLA Manjunath took strong objection to the “poor functioning” of the district administration with regard to Covid-19 management.
Varuna MLA Yathindra expressed his displeasure for promulgating an ordinance on Land Reforms Act, bringing amendment to APMC Act and privatisation of power sector, saying they are not in the interest of farmers.
MLC hints at huge scam
The BJP government in Karnataka has taken corruption to another level in its handling of the Covid-19 crisis, alleged MLC BK Hariprasad here on Friday. Participating in the ‘Speak Up, Karnataka’, Hariprasad questioned the lack of coordination between the various departments in the government, and the ministers in tackling of the crisis.
The MLC questioned the state government’s silence on allegations of irregularities in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and other healthcare accessories in the fight against the pandemic. Accusing the ministers of the BJP and legislators of swindling funds to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore, Hariprasad sought a detailed probe into these allegations. He further accused the central and state governments of looting the money in the PM’s Covid Care Fund. “Why has the government asked private tempos, trucks to pay road tax and insurance although they have not been plying for the past four months?” he asked.
Questioning the silence of Anna Hazare, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Pondicherry lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi, who had led the anti-corruption movement at the turn of the decade, on the scam, he said, “They were outsourced by the BJP to discredit the then UPA government.”