Karnataka govt suspends official over PPE kit procurement irregularities during pandemic

The official, Raghu G P, the current financial advisor to the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), Bengaluru, had previously served as the financial advisor to the state Department of Medical Education during the pandemic.

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Monday suspended an official over alleged irregularities in procuring PPE kits and other equipment during the first and second waves of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Raghu G P, the current financial advisor to the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), Bengaluru, had previously served as the financial advisor to the state Department of Medical Education during the pandemic.

A government order issued on Monday suspended Raghu following a report by a committee headed by retired IAS officer Jawaid Akhtar, who was formerly the Additional Chief Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department (Medical Education). The committee was constituted to probe allegations of irregularities in procurement of equipment sans government approval and handing work orders to select vendors.

The committee's report had recommended appropriate government action against the former Director of Medical Education, the financial advisor and the medical equipment officer responsible for violating the regulations mandated by the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act and dereliction of duty.

"Upon review of the investigation report dated 27.12.2023, it is clear that the tender procurement rules were violated while purchasing PPE kits and other equipment without the government's approval... Raghu G P, who was the financial advisor to the Department of Medical Education until August 3, 2021, has been found to have committed illegalities as per the report and documents," the order read.