Jana Sena leader seeks high-level inquiry into VMRDA financial irregularities
Visakhapatnam: The Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader P.L.V.N. Murthy Yadav has sought a high-level inquiry into alleged financial irregularities and procedural violations at the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA). On Monday, he submitted representations at the VMRDA office and the Public Grievance Redressal Cell at the Visakhapatnam Collectorate, urging the district administration and the State government to take legal action against officials responsible.
VMRDA is a statutory body responsible for planning and development in the Visakhapatnam metropolitan region. It undertakes major infrastructure projects, including roads, housing, and public amenities. Any financial mismanagement in such an authority can have a direct impact on public welfare and the region's growth. The allegations made by Yadav, if substantiated, could point to serious lapses in governance.
Yadav accused senior officials of causing financial losses to the authority through questionable fund transfers, unauthorised mobilisation advances, and administrative abuse. One of the major charges is the alleged diversion of ₹75 crore received from the Income Tax Department. According to his representation, the amount was initially deposited in a public sector bank but later moved to a private bank branch in Rajamahendravaram. This move, he claimed, led to an interest loss of approximately ₹1 crore. He named the Commissioner, the Chief Accounts Officer, and an outsourcing employee in connection with this alleged irregularity. The outsourcing employee, he said, has been influencing VMRDA's financial decisions for 16 years. Yadav has demanded a forensic audit to examine these transactions.
Another serious allegation pertains to the liquidation of fixed deposits. Yadav claimed that about ₹120 crore in fixed deposits were liquidated between January and July. This, he warned, could threaten the authority's sinking fund. A sinking fund is typically maintained for repayment of long-term debt or major capital expenses. Premature liquidation of such funds could affect the authority's financial stability and its ability to meet future obligations.
In addition to financial irregularities, Yadav accused a senior VMRDA secretary of occupying the Gurajada Kalakshetram guest house for two years without paying rent or electricity bills. He also pointed out that the secretary was drawing House Rent Allowance during this period. This, he argued, was a violation of government norms and a misuse of public property.
The JSP leader further alleged that security service tenders were bypassed to collect monthly rents, and that over 100 staff members were recruited irregularly through a private agency. He suggested the implementation of a facial recognition system to monitor daily attendance and ensure accountability.
The complaint also included an allegation regarding a ₹45 lakh mobilisation advance paid to an Amaravati-based software firm for developing mobile applications. Yadav claimed this was done in violation of norms and drew attention to past allegations involving the current Commissioner, though he did not provide specific details.
Yadav's representations call for a forensic audit and a high-level inquiry into the affairs of VMRDA. He has asked the district administration and the State government to take appropriate legal action against the officials responsible, to protect the authority's finances and maintain public confidence in the institution.
As of now, VMRDA officials have not publicly responded to these allegations. The State government has also remained silent on the matter. It remains to be seen whether the inquiry demanded by Yadav will be ordered, and what the outcome will be for the officials named in the complaint.
