COIMBATORE: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has registered a case against seven people, including a former panchayat president, a former councillor, and two retired block development officers, over alleged irregularities in govt housing schemes in Sultanpet block in Coimbatore district.




The case is related to the Chief Minister’s Solar-Powered Green House Scheme and the Indira Awaas Yojana in Chinnakuyili village under Kallapalayam panchayat during 2014-15.




DVAC inquiry findings state that former panchayat ward councillor Gopi , 45, had allegedly used his position to obtain a house for his father, Velayutham, 80, a retired govt school headmaster. Investigators found Velayutham ineligible because he owned four acres of land and a large house. DVAC also found that the work order had been issued before gram sabha approval was obtained. The house built with govt funds was allegedly merged with another structure and converted into a larger residence.




In another alleged violation, a house sanctioned under Indira Awaas Yojana in the name of Nagaraj, 53, was reportedly constructed at a different location and used by Gopi’s family.




DVAC began its inquiry after a complaint and concluded that govt had suffered a loss of Rs 3 lakh, including Rs 1.8 lakh under the Green House Scheme and Rs 1.2 lakh under Indira Awaas Yojana. Although the amount was later repaid in instalments, DVAC stated that repayment did not negate the alleged misconduct.




Those booked are former ward councillor Gopi, former panchayat president Sundararajan, 72, retired block development officers Prakash, 67, and Ravichandran, 60, former panchayat secretary Jagadeesh, 50, Velayutham and Nagaraj.