Kakinada, Feb 14th: The Telugu Desam candidate, Mr. Guttula Suryanarayana Babu, who contested from the Ramachandrapuram Assembly constituency in East Godavari district, accused the followers of the social welfare minister, Mr. Pilli Subhashchandra Bose, in his constituency of corruption to the tune of Rs 9 crore in works under the National Rural Employment Gaurantee Scheme (NREGS) with the alleged support of the minister. He demanded that government immediately constitute an inquiry committee and take appropriate action against those involved.

Speaking to reporters at the TD's district office here on Sunday, Mr. Babu said that the government of India was spending crores of rupees on the prestigious NREGS to provide employment opportunities to unemployed youth. Mr. Babu said Rs 8.63 crore were sanctioned under the scheme to take up 114 works under Ramachandrapuram Assembly constituency. He added that when inquired about the officials concerned they made it clear that they had neither invited tenders nor assigned any contractor to take up works till now. But the minister's followers have already started taking up the works illegally.

TD leader has brought the matter to the notice of the collector, Mr. Gopala Krishna Dwivedi. Mr. Babu demanded that government immediately constitute an inquiry committee on the illegal works under the NREGS and take strong action against those involved in misappropriation of the funds.