DVAC books former sports officer for swindling Rs 2.94 lakhs

According to the FIR registered by the Chennai DVAC’s special investigation unit last week, V Karunanidhi, former district sports and youth welfare officer, SDAT, Thanjavur, had swindled Rs 2.94 lakh while purchasing cycle pumps and transporting them to 294 villages panchayats under the village sports scheme as part of Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan, during 2014-15.

As per the scheme, Rs 20,000 was allotted to all the 12,524 village panchayats to develop games like volleyball, kabaddi, football and athletics. Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu allotted a sum of Rs 41.16 lakh to the district officer for Thanjavur. Of that sum, Rs 27.93 lakh was issued to village panchayats through the concerned BDOs and the balance amount of Rs 13.23 lakh was kept in the office account for printing certificates, purchase of sports materials and other expenses conducting village sports.

During the investigation, DVAC sleuths found that Karunanidhi had obtained quotations from various dealers under the guise of supplying them to the 294 village panchayats. However, none were purchased.

Instead, he produced fake bills and pocketed Rs 2.94 lakh, besides collecting 10 per cent commission, sources said. DVAC has registered a case under various sections of the IPC along with the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.