Admin | September 11, 2023
Retired IAS officer P.V Ramesh has expressed shock and dismay at the initiation of legal proceedings against former Chief Minister N. Chandrabababu Naidu and the propaganda against him based on his testimony in the Skill Development Case.
In a series of interviews to television channels, Ramesh, known for integrity and dedication to public good, rubbished the government narrative around the case.
He expressed serious concerns about the conduct of the CID and said that he suspects that his statements may have been manipulated to favor the CID’s case. He also questioned why the names of key individuals who authorized the fund disbursements earlier are absent from the case and why the pivotal roles of the Managing Director and Secretary in skill Development have been inexplicably omitted from scrutiny.
Ramesh, who formerly held the position of Chief Secretary in the Finance Department of the Andhra Pradesh government, has previously provided comprehensive written responses to the CID in relation to this case. He made these remarks in response to the recent arrest of Chandrababu Naidu, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and other related developments.
He further raised questions about the decision to arrest the former Chief Minister instead of holding the responsible officers accountable. He argued that a Chief Minister oversees a multitude of responsibilities, spanning various departments and that it is the officers within these respective departments who bear the primary responsibility for their actions. He also said that it is impossible for a Chief Minister to be aware of every transaction occurring in numerous bank accounts.
Ramesh also said that a thorough examination of the Skill Development Corporation’s records will provide clarity and that pressuring officials within the Chief Minister’s office will not yield answers regarding fund disbursements. He also asked why the memorandum files concerning skill development had been produced and why the former Chief Minister had been arrested instead of the culpable officials. His comments have raised serious questions about the conduct of the CID the fairness of the CID and the fairness of the investigation into the Skill Development matter. It is important that these questions be answered and that justice be served for all those involved.
He also suspected the CID in foul play. “I am doubting foul play in CID’s arrest of Chandrababu garu. The fact that they are spreading a narrative that I have turned approver in the case and the whole case is based on my inputs is laughable. Only criminals turn into approvers. A chief minister looks after hundreds of aspects of administration. I don’t understand how he can be held responsible for a case in one particular scheme” Ramesh said. Ramesh added that he was not aware of any wrongoing in the Skill Development program and added that the CID is operating in a sketchy manner. “The Secretary and the Managing Director are the ones who will be responsible for the fiscal transactions, and not the CM himself. I don’t find the names of other responsible individuals in the case file. A chief minister can’t be arrested over possible frauds that could be done by a concerned employee or governing officer” Ramesh added.
