DVAC books 8 for panchayat fund swindle

Virudhunagar: Directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) has filed a case against eight people, including two executive officers, for allegedly misappropriating govt fund through fake receipts in Mamsapuram town panchayat in Virudhunagar district.Sources said former municipal chairman and present ward two councillor Raja filed a complaint in this regard with Virudhunagar DVAC in 2024. It alleged irregularities between Nov 2022 and Nov 2023 over providing basic facilities including water supply and lighting maintenance to the people. Preliminary investigation revealed that a total of Rs32.78 lakh was misappropriated through 334 fake receipts without purchasing new materials for works, including street light maintenance.Subsequently, police registered a case against eight staff members who previously worked with Mamsapuram town panchayat for their alleged involvement in preparing fake bills. They are - Peraiyur town panchayat executive officer Manikandan, Anjugramam town panchayat executive officer Ushagracy, and electrician Sathiyamoorthy; junior assistants Dhilipan and Pillaiyar; health worker Karthik; electrical assistant Murugesan; and electrical shop owner Veerandi,