Senior officials in Vizianagaram district, accustomed to political lobbying and corruption, proved that they are capable of anything. Unabashedly, they appointed a teacher as a project director to the shock of people.
A secondary grade teacher M Sanyasamma, working in a primary school at Ardhannapalem under Kothavalasa, was appointed a few months ago as National Child Labour (NCL) project director under deputation. The Central government recently issued guidelines barring filling of this post with deputations and that only an assistant commissioner of labour (ACL) designated officer should be appointed as NCL project director. Accordingly, district collector M Hari Jawahar Lal issued orders on August 21 appointing ACL Venkateswara Rao in place of Sanyasamma.
Political lobbying
But political lobbying began the moment the collector issued the orders last month. ACL Venkateswara Rao was prevented from taking over as NCL project director. On the other hand, Sanyasamma, despite being relieved from duties as PD, did not join her duties as teacher. There are allegations that she was appointed as NCL project director with the backing of a local YSRCP leader.
When Venkateswara Rao tried to take charge as project director on September 15, he was prevented from doing so. The very next day, district administration, apparently under political pressure, reappointed Sanyasamma as NCL project director on the grounds that Venkateswara Rao went on sick leave.
Cover up job?
It is alleged that large scale irregularities have taken place in the last six months in the NCL in which funds to the tune of crores of rupees were spent. Role of senior officials and political leaders is also alleged in the scam. The officials are said to be preventing appointment of ACL as per Central guidelines only to cover the corruption in the project.
