Andhra Pradesh Government Investigates Multi-Crore Skill Development Corporation Scam

Andhra Pradesh Government Investigates Multi-Crore Skill Development Corporation Scam

VoM News Desk | September 18, 2023 | 12:56 PM IST | Andhra Pradesh, Breaking News | Follow on Google News

Andhra Pradesh Government Investigates Multi-Crore Skill Development Corporation Scam. Image/ PTI

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced an investigation into an alleged multi-crore skill development corporation scam, days after the arrest of former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) directed the Crime Investigation Department (CID) of Andhra Pradesh to probe the matter.

N. Sanjay, Additional Director General of APCID, stated in a press conference in New Delhi that there is solid evidence against Naidu. He alleged that Naidu had initiated the scheme without adhering to rules and regulations, releasing approximately Rs 371 crore from the state exchequer to shell companies.

Sanjay further asserted that Naidu meticulously orchestrated the entire project, bypassing recommendations and decisions made by officials responsible for its execution. Additional Advocate General P. Sudhakar Reddy, representing the Government of Andhra Pradesh, also attended the press conference.

The investigation comes after the ED detected irregularities in a GST claim of Rs 41 crore and directed the state government to look into the matter. Subsequent investigations by APCID revealed that, out of the total Rs 371 crore, Naidu allegedly embezzled Rs 241 crore from the state exchequer. According to Sanjay, Suman Bose, the former Managing Director of Siemens, aided Naidu in managing funds through several shell companies.

The Enforcement Directorate’s findings indicate that government funds amounting to Rs 241 crore were allegedly siphoned off through a complex network of shell companies, including Skillar Enterprises India Pvt Ltd and DesignTech Systems Pvt Ltd.

Regarding the minutes of the meeting in which the then Principal Secretary (Finance) P.V. Ramesh was directed to release the funds, Reddy stated that evidence had been tampered with and destroyed. He added that files related to decision-making had disappeared, and minutes of the meeting notes were torn away. As a result, charges have been filed under Section 202 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

This investigation highlights the ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding allegations of financial impropriety in Andhra Pradesh and underscores the need for transparency and accountability in government initiatives.

VoM News Desk

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