Botsa blames officials for Emaar scam

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PCC president and transport minister Botsa Satyanarayana deposed strongly against IAS officials K.V. Rao and L.V. Subrahmanyam, stating that they did not allow the hike in the cost of the APIIC land from Rs 29 lakh to Rs 40 lakh per acre in the integrated Emaar township project.

Mr Satyanarayana was one of three witnesses, whose statements were recorded by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The two others are former APIIC chairman Ambati Rambabu and film actor N. Balakrishna’s wife, N. Vasundhara Devi, who entered into a purchase agreement with Emaar on behalf of her daughter and Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu’s daughter-in-law Bramhani.

Mr Satyanarayana, who was named as Witness No. 17 in the case stated, “The APIIC senior project manager mentioned that the rate had to be Rs 40 lakh per acre. The matter was examined by the APIIC vice-chairman and managing director, Mr L.V. Subrahmanyam, but he was not particular about enhancing the cost of the land. Later, the principal secretary commented but didn’t raise the issue and agreed with the recommendation of the VC and MD. Later, I agreed it and finally the CM approved it.”

Interestingly, Bramhani was allotted a plot for only Rs 5,000 per sq. yd, whereas others paid Rs 25,000 to Rs 40,000 per square yard.