ED conducts search operations in Kolkata in connection with COVID-linked corruption
The Hindu
Several persons, who were accused of indulging in money laundering by hoarding and black marketing or supplying fake medicines and duplicate instruments like oximeter, have been summoned and interrogated
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at 10 locations in Kolkata in connection with its probe into corrupt practices such as hoarding, profiteering and black marketing of COVID-related essentials, an agency source said. The central agency has registered six cases against persons who are allegedly involved in hoarding and overcharging of essential life-saving drugs such as Remdesivir injection, he said. "We launched a crackdown on those who hoarded COVID-related essential items and indulged in black marketing during the second wave of the pandemic. Our teams are conducting searches at 10 locations in Kolkata," the ED source said.The Shakti Scheme in Karnataka has completed its first year, yet the smart cards intended for the beneficiaries remain undistributed. According to Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, while the smart cards have been prepared, their issuance has been stalled due to the absence of electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) in all buses, making them impractical.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashok were engaged in war of words over the Lok Sabha election results on Tuesday, with the former calling the latter “ignorant and entertaining people”. In response, Mr. Ashok said the Chief Minister “sometimes wakes up from deep slumber to exhibit his arrogance and anger”.