Irregularity in procurement of corona equipment: Lokayukta summons KK Shailaja

The Lokayukta has summoned former state health minister KK Shailaja to appear before the inquiry related to the alleged corruption in the purchase of personal protective equipment in Kerala.

Veena S. Nair, who left the state Congress, complained to the Lokayukta that there was corruption in the purchase of personal protective equipment during the time when the spread of Corona was intense in Kerala.

In that complaint, it is mentioned that 11 people including KK Shailaja, former state health department secretary Rajan N. Khopragade are involved in corruption. All these 11 people are said to have been directly responsible for the procurement of equipment or decision makers in that regard.

Regarding this, Veena S. Nair said, “Equipments have been purchased from private companies at a price higher than the market price. Even before the government gets the equipment, the money has been transferred to private companies. This is likely to cause financial loss to the state government,” he alleged.

In this case, the Lokayukta on Friday sent a notice to Shailaja to appear in person on December 8 for the inquiry related to the complaint.

It is noteworthy that when Shailaja held the post of Kerala Health Minister, she was greatly appreciated for taking effective measures to control the spread of Corona in the state.