Govt. promise to hold inquiry into corruption in Eye hospital

Bangalore, July 16 (UNI) Karnataka government will hold an inquiry into the alleged misuse of the Chief Minister's relief fund at the Minto Eye Hospital, Medical Education Minister Dr V S Acharya informed to the Karnataka Legislative Council here today.

Replying to Congress member Mr S M Anand, during question hour the minister informed that the government had received a preliminary report into the alleged misuse of the relief fund released to the Hospital by the vigilance officers of the Bangalore division.

While denying that government was shielding the officers involved in the corruption Dr Acharya said that a thorough inquiry by a retired judge would be ordered shortly and guilty would be punished.

Deputy Chief Minister Mr B S Yediyurappa, who also intervened in the discussion has appealed the opposition members to co-operate with the state government and hand-over any incriminating documents into their possession into the alleged misuse of the government's funds.

Congress member Mr V S Ugrappa, while participating into the discussion charged that a senior minister had sent a letter to the Medical Education Minister asking not to pursue the inquiry into the issue of embezzlement of funds in the hospital. The member also offered to produce the copy of the letter sent by the minister seeking to halt the inquiry process.

Opposition leader H K Patil, intervening into the issue said that the Medical Education minister was not ready to deny or confirm the alleged letter written by the other minister. He also demanded an inquiry into the whole incident.

UNI