Tirupati: State Vigilance department has initiated an investigation into alleged corruption and malpractices within the Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) during the tenure of its former chairmen.
The probe comes in the wake of a review meeting in August chaired by AP municipal administration and urban development minister Dr. Ponguru Narayana.
During the meeting, Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Nani accused that former TUDA chairmen Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and Chevireddy Mohith Reddy had committed irregularities and sought a vigilance inquiry into the issue.
“TUDA had surplus finances when the YSR Congress government assumed office in 2019. The finances have plummeted into a deficit within five years. A detailed investigation will undoubtedly expose the irregularities and financial frauds at TUDA,” the MLA stated.
At the time, Narayana assured a thorough investigation into the matter. Vigilance authorities have since written to TUDA for documents related to projects undertaken under the YSRC regime.
The primary focus of the probe is the tendering process. According to a Vigilance report, tenders had been issued for 56 projects worth ₹22 crore in 2020–21. This figure escalated to 407 projects worth ₹140 crore in 2021–22 and 156 projects totalling to ₹472 crore in 2022–23.
“These numbers raise concerns about the transparency and fairness of the tendering process,” said a Telugu Desam Party leader. “In several cases, no competitive bids had been invited, suggesting that funds have been siphoned off through manipulated contracts,” he stated.
By seeking from TUDA all relevant documents, state Vigilance officials are trying to bring individual cases of malpractices into light.
