The vigilance investigation into the misuse of TUDA funds has gained momentum and officials have come to the preliminary conclusion that Rs 300 crore has gone astray. It has been found that TUDA funds have been spent indiscriminately. Notices have been issued to former TUDA chairman and YSRCP leader Chevireddy Bhaskara Reddy and other officials for the way the funds were used without following minimum norms.
After their explanation, the vigilance officials will submit a full report to the government. The vigilance investigation has revealed how Chevireddy Bhaskara Reddy turned the Tirupati Urban Development Corporation (TUDA), which is spread over 8 constituencies, into his pocket company.
Former Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskara Reddy served as the chairman of TUDA during the five-year YSRCP rule between 2019 and 2024. His son Mohit Reddy was also the chairman for some time. In this context, the coalition government ordered a vigilance inquiry in January this year.
While more than 10,000 cement benches were set up in 6 mandals of the Chandragiri assembly constituency, they found that not only did Chevireddy’s name appear on them, but the construction cost was also increased 4 times. It was confirmed that Chevireddy filled his pockets through the name of a benami company, Sri Sai Enterprises.
It was found that the development works undertaken with TUDA funds were allocated to his own company, Chevireddy Munireddy Rosamma Info Private Limited. It was later determined that the works were allocated to private contractors on a 10 to 20 percent commission basis.
Moreover, it was revealed that Chevireddy’s personal assistants purchased 6 cars for him in a period of five years allegedly with TUDA funds. It was initially found that hundreds of crores of funds were misused in the name of plant distribution within the Chandragiri assembly constituency.
It was confirmed that TUDA funds were used for personal air travel every month and private lands were leased in the name of TUDA and used for personal purposes. It was found that 22 employees were hired on contract basis with TUDA funds and used for personal work.
It was initially revealed that roads were built on 100 acres of private land in Thottambedu mandal with TUDA funds in favor of real estate business. The officials found that Rs. 230 crores of funds were diverted to the accounts of MPDOs of 6 mandals in Chandragiri constituency. It has been preliminary confirmed that pens and writing pads were purchased with funds of Rs 25.80 lakh 80 for a personal survey.