VS Achuthanandan accuses Vellapally of graft in name of micro-finance scheme
Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan on Wednesday accused SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan of siphoning of crores of rupees in the name of micro finance scheme.
At a press conference here , Achuthanandan alleged that the SNDP leader had taken loans worth '15 crore from Kerala State Backward Classes Corporation at a low interest rate of 2 per cent and lent it to poor Ezhavas at 12 per cent. A huge amount had also been misused for personal requirements he said and warned that if the government failed to order a probe he would approach the court.
He said Natesan had taken money for micro finance scheme. Moreover he had also availed loans worth '600 crore from nationalized banks.
Achuthanandan said SNDP had also forged utilisation certificates to siphon off the money. Loans were given to 10 per cent people just for namesake. The beneficiaries’ names were given with false addresses to dupe the corporation.
The opposition leader alleged that Centre for Management Development (CMD) which looked into the issue, reported that SNDP had offered loan at 12 per cent interest. SNDP was found to have given loans at 12 per cent interest. Moreover, Natesan’s men didn't allow officials to examine the records and were even beaten up.
Achuthanandan said even the Principal and Account General had come out with a report in December 2010 in which it stated that the corporation had informed that SNDP took loans at 2 per cent interest rates and disbursed at 12 per cent.
The opposition leader alleged that chief minister’s office had directed the commission against taking any action on SNDP. He said the SNDP took loan without any guarantee. But after disbursing just 10 per cent of the amount, the SNDP leaders had siphoned of the rest of the money.
Sudheeran lashes out at Vellapally
KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran has lashed out at SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan for trying to form a secular front with the BJP saying it was like a butcher talking about non-violence.
Addressing the Mahila Congress state committee meeting here, he said that those who claimed to float a third front had realized that the initial momentum could not be sustained. They lacked a proper planning or aim and instead had ulterior motives.
“Narayana Guru had said, ‘whichever the religion, it suffices if it makes a better man.’ The Guru’s philosophy has been blown to the winds which will never be approved by the people,” said Mr Sudheeran. He also all-eged that the Yogam leaders had been bewildered by the anguish of the people.
Mahila Congress state president Bindu Krishna told DC that for the first time women Congress leaders had been included in the election committee meeting. “I will be writing to all the 14 DCC presidents as per the advice of Sudheeran that Mahila Congress leaders should be given prominence when finalizing the candidates for the local body elections. There would not be much issues for women candidates as we are getting 50 percent reservation,” said Ms. Krishna.
