PV Ramesh’ National Media Interview Gives More Clarity

TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu’s arrest and subsequent judicial remand has become a hot topic of discussion not just in Andhra Pradesh, but even in the nation.

Leaders of the INDIA bloc also expressed support to Naidu and condemned his arrest. Following the media attention over Naidu’s arrest, the video showing the explanation of ex-IAS officer P.V. Ramesh, who was the principal secretary, finance, during Naidu’s regime has become viral on various social media platforms.

Ramesh said that he was appalled by the statement that his evidence led to Naidu’s arrest. This is completely a preposterous statement, he said.

He said that there was no truth in the charges leveled by the CID sleuths.

The retried IAS officer said that the charges that the Skill Development Corporation was set up without the approval of the Council of Ministers and that the release of the Rs 300 crore at one go to the Siemens company, which came forward for the implementation of the Skill Development Programme was also done after the Cabinet’s nod.

“Releasing all the Rs 300 crore in one instalment is unusual but the decision was approved by the Cabinet and money was released because it was felt to be a small amount considering the Rs 2,700 crore being invested by Siemens in Skill Development programme, as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility,” he clarified.

The sole aim of the programme was to promote industrialization in the state and make the youth industry-ready, he said.

At the same time, he also ruled out charges that a third party, like the Central Institute of Tool Development, assessment was needed for the release of funds. “No, there is no such rule. Those making such statements should go back to the rule book and check the points stipulated there.”

He also found fault with the CID’s claim that the files regarding the setting up of the Skill Development Corporation and asked where have the files gone. “We also maintained shadow files. At least they should be there. Things cannot vanish into thin air unless and until the officials and ministers dealing with them are magicians. Those responsible for the disappearance of the files should be held responsible,” he said.

The former IAS officer also questioned how could the charges be framed that DesignTech, the company which provided the training to the youth, has diverted the money released by the Skill Development Corporation only, to 10 different shell companies.

DesignTech received money from various sources and how can it be confirmed that the money released by AP Skill Development Corporation had only been diverted, he asked. Further, he expressed doubt if the CID could trace that all the diverted money went into Naidu’s accounts.

He also said it was a bad precedent to know that a principal secretary’s note file had led to the arrest of a former CM. “My writings in my own scrap book sort of a thing and that of another officer Suneetha’s writings have been read out of context,” he said.

The ex-IAS officer ruled out any irregularity and abnormality in the release of funds to DesignTech from the finance department.

It may be recalled that former IAS officer Ramesh had also deposed before the CID nearly 4-5 times for interrogation.