Andhra Pradesh: TD Leaders Want Probe Against Officials of Kuppam

Tirupati: Telugu Desam leaders of Kuppam, the constituency of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, have alleged widespread corruption by officials of revenue and mining departments in the area.

They have demanded a comprehensive investigation into all irregularities committed by revenue and mining officials in the region.

A TD leader said: "The previous government transferred several tainted officers to the Kuppam constituency. These officers engaged in severe irregularities without any limitations under the direction of the top leaders belonging to the then ruling YSRC.”

These allegations have surfaced in Kuppam following the recent suspension of Santhipuram mandal deputy surveyor Saddam Hussain on corruption charges. Hussain allegedly demanded bribes for various services, including sub-division of land intended for construction of the Chief Minister’s house in Kuppam.

TD leaders said the deputy surveyor sought ₹60,000 from them and an additional ₹1 lakh from landowners. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, a TD leader revealed that Hussain deliberately delayed clearing files when bribe money had not been paid to him.

The corruption came to light during Naidu's recent visit to the house site, where he inquired about the progress of construction. Joint collector P. Srinivasulu, present at the time, inquired and came to know about the reasons for delay and ordered an investigation. The joint collector immediately suspended Hussain on confirmation of the allegations.

TD leaders allege that YSRC leaders are exploiting Kuppam's strategic location on the Tamil Nadu and Karnataka borders to engage in large-scale looting of granite using the corrupt revenue and mining officials.

They allege that several mandal officials are involved in irregularities. These could be revealed through a thorough investigation, they stated.