In a major development in the skill development scam that took place during the Chandrababu Naidu regime, the Enforcement Directorate on Friday announced attachment of properties worth Rs 31.20 crore belonging to Designtech Systems Private Limited (DTSPL), which allegedly siphoned off the state government funds.
The ED initiated investigation under the Prevention of Money laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 on the basis of FIR registered by Andhra Pradesh CID against Designtech Systems and others for cheating the Andhra Pradesh government by diverting and siphoning off funds in the case of Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) Siemens Project, which was meant to promote skill development & entrepreneurship in Andhra Pradesh.
Investigation conducted by ED revealed that Designtech Systems, its director and others diverted the government funds with the help of shell entities through multi-layered transactions and siphoned off the funds on the strength of bogus invoices under the pretext of supply of materials/services.
Part of the diverted funds was received back by Designtech in its bank accounts. “Proceeds of crime in the possession of the company have been traced in the form of fixed deposits worth Rs 31.50 crore. The ED attached these deposits as part of investigation.
Previously, in the instant case, the ED had arrested MD of DTSPL, Vikas Khanvelkar, Suman Bose, Mukul Chandra Agarwal and Suresh Goyal on March 4, 2023. The arrested accused persons are presently in judicial custody.
In 2014-2015, Siemens India Software Ltd and Design Tech approached then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu to set up Centres of Excellence for Skill development training. The project was worth Rs. 3,300.
Both the companies would sponsor 90% of the cost of the project as a grant. The state government had to pay for only 10% of the cost, that is Rs 370 crores. The APSSDC was a tool used by Naidu to carry out the dubious project.
Without properly ascertaining about the details of the project and if it would really cost as projected, the Naidu government gave approval for the project. In 2018, the GST, Intelligence wing under the Central government detected that DesignTech siphoned off Rs. 241 crores out of the Rs. 370 crores.
