CID yet to launch probe into scam

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Feb 6, 2013: More than three months after the vigilance and enforcement department was ordered to probe the biggest land scam in Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority worth Rs 542 crore, the state investigation agency is yet to begin its  investigation.

The vigilance report  pointed at involvement of senior officials including  Vuda’s vice-chairman and two IAS officials in the illegal allotments which led to a loss to the state’s exchequer to the tune of more than Rs 542 crore.

In view of the involvement of senior officials a CID probe was recommended. Though the vigilance department was to submit the report by mid July last year, after three extensions the report was finally submitted in October.

It is learnt that the vigilance sleuths recorded stat-ements and questioned more than 100 people as part of their probe.

Basing on the report, the state chief secretary issued a memo to the CID to register a case and investigate into the alleged  scam.

“While the CID insists on a formal complaint by Vuda to go ahead with the probe, Vuda senior officials say that the CID can file a case based on the directions of the chief secretary and investigate. The standoff between the two parties would definitely help those involved in the scam to  cover up their actions,” observed a Vuda official.

Reacting to media reports  that the irregularities had taken place during his  tenure as vice-chairman, Kona Sasidhar, submitted a report to the state government’s municipal administration department stating prima facie evidence was found on the said irregularities to the tune of `542 crore in various layouts developed by the urban development authority in Rushikonda, Madhurawa-da and many other areas.

Acting on the report, department of municipal administration and urban development issued GORT no: 341 on March 21 entrusting the job of probing into the alleged irregularities to the vigilance and enforcement wing and submit its report within 3 months.

The vice-chairman, in his  report, found fault with some of his staff members for conniving with outsiders in allotting valuable plots, lands to fake beneficiaries.