Vellapally Natesan calls meet to counter VACB move

ALAPPUZHA: SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan has called a high-level meeting at  Cherthala on Saturday in the wake of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau move to probe  the alleged misappropriation of funds  in the microfinance scheme, According to  Yogam sources, the meeting to be attended by the Yogam’s  union secretaries, vice-presidents and executive members   will chalk  out a strategy to counter the VACB action.

Mr Vellappally  on Friday claimed  that some vested interests  were misguiding CPM leader V.S. Achuthanandan on the microfinance scheme.   Mr Natesan told reporters  that the Yogam would submit a memorandum to  Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the  matter.

“Yogam was given at least Rs 15 crore  by the Backward Community Welfare Corporation in 2001. Out of this, Rs 10 crore   has already been repaid.  The allegation cropped up about  the remaining Rs 5 crore and  39 unions which  diverted the money to other purposes and levied excess interest  from beneficiaries,” he said  and added that there was no corruption in the matter.

Mr Natesan said that the fund was utilised for the uplift of economically backward women in the backward community. Many communities were allotted funds  in the same way. “But the selective treatment against the Yogam is deplorable,” he said.         Mr  Natesan praised Mr  Pinarayi Vijayan saying that he had become  wiser and consistent after he took office.  He again attacked  VS saying that he was suffering from something as he was getting older.