Three IPS officers including Vijayawada Division Railway Superintendent of Police Ch. Syam Prasad Rao, who allegedly drew House Rent Allowance (HRA) despite staying in government quarters, are likely to face criminal charges.
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) police inquired into the corruption charges against Mr. Syam Prasad Rao. Based on the recommendations, Andhra Pradesh in-charge Director General of Police R.P. Thakur suspended the Railway SP on November 10. Mr. Rao was accused of drawing HRA though he was staying in a government quarter in the city. The CID police, after inquiring into the allegations, registered a criminal case against the SP.
However, the officer sought the intervention of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in the case, alleging harassment and discrimination by the higher authorities. The SP contended that his predecessors too claimed HRA by staying in the same quarter, but action was taken only against him.
According to sources, three IPS officers who served as Vijayawada Railway SPs since 2008, claimed HRA by staying in the same quarter despite the fact that the quarter had been declared unfit for accommodating senior officials by the railway authorities. The officers claimed Rs.8,000 a month as HRA.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Syam Prasad Rao said he had endorsed the files submitted by the Ministerial staff and claimed the HRA. “If it is illegal, government can recover the amount from my salary in instalments, instead of suspending me,” he said.
“I am an IPS officer and participated in various operations in different districts. I can’t stay in private houses as there will be security problem. I don’t know who lodged the complaint and the CID police did not serve any memo or sought my clarification. The government should book the previous officers too for claiming HRA and the office staff who had misled the IPS officers,” he said.
With Mr. Syam Prasad Rao alleging discrimination, senior officials said the government was mulling filing criminal cases against the three officers who previously stayed in the same quarter and take action against them.
