Vigilance finds Periyar Tiger Reserve norms violated
It was alleged that the officials made bogus purchase orders in the names of fake companies and made undue gain.
Kochi: The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau filed a quick verification report before the Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court stating that the Periyar Tiger Reserve violated the norms in the procurement of wireless base stations and handheld VHF digital radios for upgrading the communication system. The VACB stated that there were tender violations in the procurement of the devices and suggested departmental action against the erring officials who purchased eight vehicle mobile set and four handheld wireless sets.
The Vigilance Court had asked the VACB to conduct a quick verification on a complaint filed by Sajimon Salim of Kumily against Sanjayan Kumar, former deputy director of the Periyar Tiger east division, S.K. Sibi, former range officer, Periyar range, John Mathew, assistant field director (PT) and Johnson Joseph of Promt Wired & Wireless Communications, Panampilly Nagar, Kochi. The plea alleged misappropriation worth Rs 5 lakh.
According to Sajimon Salim, the authorities prepared or fabricated quotations of non-existent firms for making various purchases thus siphoning of lakhs of rupees from the Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation. They also made payments for invoices/bills with fake Tax Information Network (TIN) & Central Sales Tax (CST) numbers. It was alleged that the officials made bogus purchase orders in the names of fake companies and made undue gain.