CBI questions Mopidevi, decision on arrest today

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The CBI will decide on Thursday whether to arrest excise minister Mopidevi Venkataramana in the assets case of Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. CBI officials questioned Mr Venkataramana for seven hours on Wednes-day regarding the Vanpic project scam in relation to the assets case. He was asked to appear again on Thursday morning.

CBI sources said that they were cross-checking evidence found against the minister in the case. The CBI joint director, Mr V.V. Lakshminarayana, led the team that questioned the minister who was asked about the discrepancies in the concession agreement of the Vanpic project as against the Cabinet’s decisions. Officials also asked Mr Venkataramana about note file approvals and writings in favour of Vanpic that were against the rules. He was confronted along with the arrested industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad and IRAS official K.V. Brahmananda Reddy.

The minister later said, “The CBI asked for clarifications on some issues pertaining to the decisions taken earlier. I answered questions regarding decisions taken by me during some circumstances.” When asked about splitting of the industrial corridor and the Vadarevu & Nizampatnam ports, and changing the corridor as BOO (built, operate and own) basis as against BOOT (built, operate, own and transfer) basis, Mr Venkataramana said, “The CBI has pointed out some differences in the Cabinet decisions and the concession agreement. I have told them whatever I knew about it.”