Dharmana dodges Central probe, with CMO's help

The Central Probe panel headed by former secretary to the Union Government M A Asthana (IAS),  which reached Hyderabad did not visit the Srikakulam district for conducting enquiry into the misuse of Central funds which were meant for laying connecting roads between villages in Srikakulam district.

The Central team cut short its work and in its place, certain retired officers of AP cadre visited the district, according to sources.

It is understood that the Chief Minister's Office applied pressure on the team and they put off the scheduled probe. The team under former secretary MA Asthana was expected to enquire into the funds exclusively allotted by the Centre for construction of connectivity roads between villages in Srikakulalm district.

The ‘scam’ in this case was the allegations that the Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, using his office, got the funds diverted for construction of road leading to the granite quarries which were owned by his son.

The panel was supposed to enquire into the funds that were diverted to construct the road leading to the lands in Polanki mandal where the lands belonging to Mr Prasada Rao’s family are located.

Though the Central team arrived here, certain key members of the team were refrained from visiting the district. They were also expected to enquire into the violations in the implementation of the Central scheme under which funds were to be spent for villages’ connectivity.

It is understood that they did not go into all those irregularities due to pressure applied from the CMO. Further, irregular allotments in the Gummapadu-Ashokam Highway in the district were overlooked by the said team. Their visit here remained just eyewash.

Rs 40 lakh was allotted to construct highway to link up Ashokam, Saravakota, Somaiahpeta villages and Kidimi Panchayat where nearly 100 SC families have been living. They were pressing for road connectivity.

Overlooking the said link-up road for which Rs 40 lakh was granted, the road up to the granite mines was laid ignoring the road beyond Ashokam village.

The Minister’s son’s granite quarries in 40 hectares are located on the borders of Gummapadu village.

To facilitate vehicles moving up to the granite mine area, roads were laid ignoring the Ashokapadu village connectivity.

Once a road construction began it was ought to be completed connecting the end village. But this was not done.

This gross violation was to be enquired by the Central Probe team. According to Secretariat sources, the Central team cut short its probe due to the presence of Minister whose family interests stood as priority.

In the National Village Provision of Promise act, GO 271 assumed importance. Under the Zilla Parishad, funds allotted should be used to connect the villages. This rule was violated in the highway road connectivity of Saravakota-Gummapadu-Ashokam villages. It was clear that the Central Probe team did not take into account this gross violation of GO 271. Another violation was Rs 49 lakh was sanctioned for Mabagam-Kolli Valasa road without land acquisition. Though the Centre had sanctioned funds, the beneficiaries as seen were not getting their due share. That was one of the reasons why the rural connectivity still remained on paper.

Consequently the developmental works were hampered due to no proper infrastructure. The voice and the cry of the SC, ST families was like a cry in wilderness. 

The Minister has also claimed the Srikakulam Municipal lands measuring over 2 acres even when the said land has been referred to the Court, according to TDP leader K Yerrannaidu who warned that the High Court would be moved in case the government did not initiate action against the Minister who was as well misusing the designated funds meant for laying the highways.