Probe against Vatti, Dharmana for misusing NREGS

Following a complaint lodged by Telugu Desam Party leader K Yerrannaidu with the Centre, two Ministers are likely to face charges of corruption.

A former secretary to the Central government, MD Asthan who is landing here on March 28, obviously at the instance of the home department, would visit Srikakulam and West Godavari districts to collect a firsthand account of the graft charges against Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao and Tourism Minister Vatti Vasanth Kumar.

The Asthan Committee was appointed on March 25, to enquire into the allegations made by TDP leader and MP K Yerannaidu, who belongs to Srikakulam district.

The role of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has not been ruled out as he was quite keen on the said popular Central scheme being implemented in the state, sources say.

The allegation against Mr Vatti Vasantha Kumar is that he had used his official position to construct a road to the fisheries tank owned by him in West Godavari with funds meant for NREG schemes. Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao is charged with constructing roads that led to the ‘granite quarries’ in Srikakulam district which had already attracted the attention of the media - both electronic and print.

The granite quarries were being owned by Dharmana’s son Naidu during YSR's rule. In the recent past, when locals protested against the Minister’s son’s encroachment, the officials concerned loyal to the Minister tried to suppress them.

However, the issue raged into a controversy with the groundswell against the cited ‘occupation’ of the land in Srikakulam.

Social audits revealed that under fictitious names, bogus bank accounts were opened and funds intended for distribution to the labourers were drawn and shared by the authorities and leaders who were hands in glove.

Audits found that there were irregularities in the implementation of welfare schemes and funds over Rs 100 crore were swallowed.

So far, 55 MPDOs have been suspended, it is learnt.