source: Express Buzz  31 Oct 2008

RAJAHMUNDRY: The State Government is planning to take action against 23 employees of Sri Veera Venkata Satyanarayana Swamy Temple of Annavaram as the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials held them responsible for the alleged irregularities and lapses with regard to various works executed with temple funds.

In its report submitted to the State Government on April 4, 2002, the ACB conducted an inquiry against former executive officer N Somasekhar and several others.

However, the ACB confirmed the charges against 25 employees. While one of them Ch Rammohan Rao died and Somasekhar dismissed from the service, action is being initiated against the remaining 23 others.

In a memo dated December 27, 2007, the State Government sought the ACB to specify the names of the officials against whom action is to be dropped, action to be abated and those who retired from service and action to be initiated by the Tribunal for Disciplinary Proceedings (TDP).

The ACB furnished the details to the State Government on January 30 this year.

Based on the details, the State Government directed the Endowments Commmissioner to initiate necessary action against the employees responsible for the irregularities in executing various works.

The corruption charges related to works worth crores of rupees were taken up without inviting tenders, paying excess amount over market rate to the lands purchased for the temple, construction of roads, drains etc without proper permission, creating and filling of various posts, appointment of staff on contract basis, misuse of power in regularising the services of NMRs etc.

When contacted, temple Executive Officer M Raghunath said that he was not aware of the issue but Endowments Commissioner Sundar Kumar Das said that action would be initiated against the erring officials as per law.