VIJAYAWADA: The controversy surrounding the memento scam in Kanaka Durga temple, which led to suspension of three employees and removal of a contract employee from service, took a serious turn on Monday. Temple Executive Officer V Koteswaramma lodged a complaint with City Police Commissioner Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao seeking action against Assistant Executive Officer (AEO) Achyutha Ramaiah for threatening her for suspending him.
The AEO had also lodged a complaint with the police earlier, alleging that he was made a scapegoat in the issue. Apart from the AEO, record assistant Sunitha and cultural incharge Janardhan had been suspended while a contract employee, Sk Syeda, was removed from service.
According to sources, the scam came to light after a cultural troupe member, who performed ‘Kolatam’ during the festivities, demanded that she also be presented with a memento. The temple officials, however, maintained that only the troupe head was honoured with a memento.
While some officials claimed that the EO had asked them to present mementos to all troupe members, Koteswaramma questioned them the need for buying nearly 2,000 pieces. The cultural troupe member lodged a complaint with the Chief Minister’s Office and Endowments Commissioner M Padma alleging irregularities in the purchase of mementos.
Meanwhile, speaking to the media after lodging the complaint, Koteswaramma said, “I do not have any personal grudge against the temple staff. Action against all the three employees was taken after conducting a preliminary investigation.’’ Clarifying the reasons for lodging a police complaint against Achyuta Ramaiah, Koteswaramma said he entered into an argument with and threatened her with serious consequences if the suspension was not revoked.
The EO said that contract employee Sk Syeda’s services would be terminated after the notice period. The suspended employees were told to give their explanation within a week.Meanwhile, Achyuth Ramaiah stated that Koteswaramma made him a ‘scapegoat’ in the memento purchase irregularities and the issue was taken to the notice of the police commissioner. “As far as I know, there were no irregularities committed by the officials in purchase of mementos. The EO targeted me intentionally as I am going to retire within a month. I will give a complaint to the Endowments Commissioner on the issue,” the AEO added.