Chennai , August 11(BPNS)
AIADMK leader and former minister S.P.Velumani on whose premises the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had conducted raids on Tuesday is facing more graft allegations. While the DVAC raids were following the complaint filed by the NGO, Arappor Iyyakom, and the DMK, he is facing more charges.
DMK leader and Tamil Nadu assembly Speaker, M. Appavu has filed a complaint against Velumani at DVAC alleging multi-crore corruption by the former minister in replacing street lights in village panchayaths of Tamil Nadu.
The Speaker had also complained about the replacing of LED lights in the state during the tenure of Velumani as Local Self Government minister.
Appavu had complained before the DVAC that during the period of Velumani, LED worth Rs 450 in the open market was purchased for Rs 3737 and that lights costing Rs 1550 were bought for Rs 14,919 each.
He complained that in the period from 2015 to 2018 an amount of Rs 969 crore was allocated in three phases for the purpose of purchase of street lights as well as LED bulbs.
He also alleged that neither the state nor any second party authority can interfere in the administration of financial power of village panchayaths but the minister had intervened by constituting a committee and had allotted tenders to his shell companies and his accomplices.
Appavu had however, withdrawn the petition after he has become the Speaker of the legislative assembly but the DVAC can act on the petition.
Thiruvengadam, a civil contractor from Coimbatore has also filed a complaint on Monday at the Chennai City Police commissioner office that the former Minister had swindled 1.25 crore from him promising him to grant a contract work. After the work was allotted to another person, Thiruvengadam, requested the minister to repay the money but was threatened. His petition, according to police sources is forwarded to Central Crime Branch for further investigation.
