Jana Sena seeks probe into ₹40-crore Port Stadium compensation
Jana Sena leader Peethala Murthy Yadav on Tuesday demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), and the Union Ministry of Ports into the alleged move by officials of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) to grant compensation of nearly ₹40 crore to M/s Viswanath Sports and Conventions Private Limited.
Addressing a press conference here, Mr. Murthy Yadav alleged that the company, which had leased the Visakhapatnam Port Stadium and later surrendered it following disputes with the port authorities, was being favoured through a “third-party assessment” process.
He urged the authorities to withhold any payment until an independent inquiry is completed. He also requested outgoing in-charge chairman Angamuthu not to take any decision on the matter before the newly appointed chairman Jasmit Singh Bindra assumes charge.
Mr. Murthy Yadav sought a CBI inquiry against the management of Viswanath Sports, including Boddeti Kashi Viswanatham and Narendra Kumar, as well as senior VPA officials who allegedly facilitated the process in violation of established norms.
He named Deputy Chairperson Roshini Aparanji, former secretary T. Venugopal, Chief Mechanical Engineer CH Ramprasad, Chief Engineer N. Sriramachandra Murthy, and former Chief Engineer Venu Prasad, alleging that they acted in favour of the private firm while occupying key positions within the port authority.
According to Mr. Murthy Yadav, the lease agreement with Viswanath Sports was cancelled after the company allegedly failed to pay rent and electricity dues, demolished certain structures without permission, undertook unauthorised constructions, and entered into sub-lease arrangements.
He said the port authority had recovered ₹4.12 crore from the company’s bank guarantee towards pending dues. However, despite the alleged violations, efforts were now allegedly being made to pay the company compensation amounting to nearly ₹40 crore.
Mr. Murthy Yadav alleged that the company had submitted a representation on February 2 seeking compensation of ₹48 crore. Instead of obtaining a legal opinion or pursuing legal remedies, officials allegedly initiated a third-party assessment process to determine the compensation amount.
He said estimates were obtained from a chartered engineer in April for works carried out at the Port Kalavani Auditorium and the Sports Complex. Subsequently, another Kolkata-based agency, MECON, was reportedly engaged for reassessment after the company expressed dissatisfaction with the earlier estimates.
Alleging irregularities in the process, Mr. Murthy Yadav demanded a detailed inquiry into the role of the officials concerned and sought an immediate halt to any compensation payment until the investigations are completed.
He also alleged that the company had granted subleases to several entities in violation of lease conditions and claimed that some of those entities were now directly approaching the port authority seeking temporary operational permissions.
Mr. Murthy Yadav further stated that some investors associated with facilities developed within the stadium premises had opposed any settlement with Viswanath Sports, claiming that they had invested substantial amounts based on assurances given by the company.
He demanded that the Port Stadium remain under the control of the port authority until completion of the inquiry and urged the authorities not to enter into fresh lease agreements without inviting open tenders.