Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance department on Sunday arrested Praveen Raj T R, 37, currently serving as sub-district industries officer in Kollam taluk, in connection with the alleged diversion of Rs 3.57 crore in government subsidies meant for women entrepreneurs under a self-employment scheme implemented by the Thiruvananthapuram corporation. The case pertains to alleged irregularities committed during his tenure as industries extension officer of the corporation. He was produced before the vigilance court in Thiruvananthapuram and remanded to custody.
Details of the Fraud
According to vigilance officials, the fraud is linked to a scheme implemented during the 2020-21 financial year aimed at promoting self-employment ventures among women from 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. 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.
Previous Cases Against the Accused
Praveen Raj is an accused in two other vigilance cases related to subsidy schemes implemented by the 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.
The Vigilance special investigation unit registered the case following allegations of irregularities in the sanction and disbursal of subsidies under the scheme. Further investigation is underway.
