Former Andhra Pradesh minister and deputy leader of the TDLP K Acchannaidu was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Andhra Pradesh in the multi-crore ESI scam today.
Officials of the ACB reached the residence of Acchannaidu at Nimmadal of Srikakulam district at 7:30 am and arrested him.
Joint Director of the ACB Ravi Kumar said that the bureau had arrested five other accused in the scam too besides the MLA.
Revealing the details of the scam, Kumar said that the irregularities took place in the purchase of lab kits, surgical items and furniture.
He said that the accused had bought the items in the names of the family members of the former director of the corporation C K Ramesh Kumar by using fake quotations.
He also said that the items were purchased for amounts 50% to 130% higher than their normal prices, and that the accused had preferred the nomination method to buy the items instead of opting for the e-tender method.
He said that scam was worth Rs 150 crore and that it took place over a period of five years.
He claimed that the bureau had also gathered evidence to prove that the items had been purchased using wrong invoices.
Kumar also said that some of the affairs of the department had taken place without the knowledge of the officials of the labour department of the state.
Evidence had been gathered against Acchannaidu, Ramesh Kumar and a Dr Vijay Kumar in the scam, he added.
The ACB arrested Ramesh Kumar in Tirupati and Vijay Kumar in Rajamahendravaram.
Ravi Kumar said that the bureau would produce the accused before a special ACB magistrate at Vijayawada for their remand.