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Udupi : Congress party will continue to cooperate with the state government in the fight against the pandemic, but we will not cooperate with fund misuse in the name of Corona pandemic. State government looted huge amount in irregularities in the purchase of medical equipment, said Dinesh Gundu Rao, former president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

In regard to coronavirus pandemic, the congress party in the state warned the state government to face the pandemic and BJP government not taken actions promptly. Our main objectives would have to help the government to face the pandemic. During lockdown, Congress party was in the forefront in helping those who were in trouble with several measures.

He said in regard to purchase of medical equipment, there is widespread of corruption in the state government. State government purchased equipment at a much higher price compared to Tamil Nadu and Kerala and also whatever purchased procuring poor quality equipment and paying firms even before getting the equipment in hand. The congress accused the government of purchasing ventilators, personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, thermal scanners, sanitizers and other medical equipment at higher rates. Thermal scanners available in the market for Rs. 1,500 to Rs 2,000, were bought for Rs. 5,945 by the state government. The Union government purchased 50,000 ventilators from the PM Cares Funds for Rs. 4 lack each. But Karnataka government purchased the first batch of ventilators for Rs 5.6 lakh and Rs. 12.32 lakh In the second batch and third batch was purchased for Rs. 18.2 lakh. But Tamil Nadu government purchased 100 transport ventilators for Rs 4.78 lakh each, he said.

Meanwhile he said that PPE kits were available in the market for Rs. 330 each, The state purchased 9.6 lakh kits of which 3 lakh were purchased from a Chinese firm for Rs 2,117 each. The same kits were available in the market for Rs 330 each. Another 3.5 lakh kits were purchased from Maharastra based firm for the same price, but were of such poor quality, doctors had protested, forcing the government to return 1.2 lakh kits, he said.

In relate to corona pandemic, union government is not giving anything to the state. Even the share of GST collected amount also not given. The opposition congress party will not rest till the huge scam that has taken place in the purchase of medical equipment in relate to corona pandemic is brought to light. We will question and will discuss in the legislative assembly session. Congress party is given application to RTI about the malpractice in purchase of medical equipment. The congress party demanded a judicial inquiry by a sitting judge of the High Court. The congress will continue to cooperate with the state government in the fight against the pandemic, but we will not tolerate the corruption and misuse of fund, he said.

To another query, Rao questioned what Modi has done to the country. BJP have not agenda except communal one. They are taking advantage of the construction of Ram Mandir. There is no relation to coronavirus pandemic and Ram Mandir construction, he said.

Gundu Rao said the administration related activities and policies of the Yeddyurappa government in the state are against the democracy. In order to remain the democracy, need proper dialogue and discussion. BJP party which does not know how to rule and give good administration, he said.

Former district in-charge minister, Dr. Jayamala said that she have special honor to this district. Even she visited the district every now and then when she was as district in-charge minister. In relate to Yeddyurappa administration, he had done remarkable well during three months as soon as he became chief minister due to the administrated the state solely that no ministers were chosen then. After three months, he appointed the ministers, suddenly corruption started in the state administration. Almost all departments’ corruption has erupted in the state. The BJP does not know how to rule which effects badly for the people of the state, she said.

Ashok Kumar Kodavoor welcomed the gathering and gave the keynote address. GA Bava KPCC chief secretary, Vinay Kumar Sorake former minister, U R Sabhapathy former MLA, Vinayraj Mangaluru Municipality councilor, M A Gafoor chief secretary of KPCC, Geetha Wagle District Mahila Congress President, Veronica Cornelio KPCC secretary, Roshni Oliveira, Harish Kini, Block Congress presidents and others were present.