Two more cases of corruption in the implementation of the Self-Sufficient Village project were registered recently after the police started a crackdown on corruption involving the projects meant for the welfare of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (SC/STs) in the district.
The cases were registered after Special Branch Dy.SP V.N. Saji and Crime Records Bureau Dy.SP C.J. Johnson filed inquiry reports on corruption as ordered by Superintendent of Police A.V. George. Mr. George told The Hindu on Thursday that works were lagging behind and funds were diverted.
‘Bigger conspiracy’
There was no agency or official to inspect the site for proper implementation of the project, he said adding that a bigger conspiracy on funds diversion was suspected. Ignorance of the beneficiaries was being exploited. Drainage channels, drinking water supply, and road connectivity were facilitated without adhering to basic norms. Lakhs of rupees were found diverted with official connivance. He said those involved in corruption would be booked soon.
Irregularities to the tune of Rs.35 lakh were detected in the implementation of the project at Didinagar SC colony under the Santhanpara police station and Pallanadu SC colony under the Marayur police station. Of the Self-Sufficient Village project implemented in the nine colonies in the district, irregularities involving crores of rupees were found in four colonies and cases were registered against the contractors and officials involved in diverting the funds.
The Rs.1-crore project in each colony was meant for uplift of the social life and making basic facilities, including drinking water and road connectivity to the colonies. The supervision of the project was entrusted with Kerala Agro-Industries Corporation Ltd.
