Govt official held in Rs 3.57-crore subsidy fraud case

T’puram: Vigilance on Sunday arrested Praveen Raj T R, 37, currently serving as sub-district industries officer, Kollam taluk, in connection with the alleged diversion of Rs 3.57 crore in govt subsidy meant for women entrepreneurs under a self-employment scheme implemented by Thiruvananthapuram corporation.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities committed during his tenure as industries extension officer of corporation. He was produced before vigilance court in Thiruvananthapuram and remanded.

According to vigilance, the fraud is linked to a scheme implemented during 2020-21 financial year to promote self-employment ventures among women belonging to the general category.

Investigators alleged that subsidy amounts sanctioned to women entrepreneur groups were shown as disbursed through fabricated records, though the money never reached the intended beneficiaries.

Vigilance said fake documents were created to show that subsidies had been distributed to eligible groups. Using these records, Rs 3.57 crore was allegedly diverted to various bank accounts linked to a private firm owned by Sindhu, another accused in the case.

Vigilance special investigation unit registered the case following allegations of irregularities in the sanction and disbursal of subsidies under the scheme.

Raj is an accused in two other vigilance cases related to subsidy schemes implemented by Thiruvananthapuram corporation. One case concerns alleged irregularities involving Rs 24 lakh in subsidies sanctioned under a self-employment scheme for scheduled caste women. Another relates to the alleged diversion of Rs 1.14 crore in subsidies sanctioned under a self-employment scheme for women belonging to below-poverty-line families.