Visit of Velumani’s brother to lake flayed, Corpn says it isn’t official

The photo shared by the corporation shows ‘social enthusiast’ SP Anbarasan inspecting the ongoing smart city project works at Valankulam Lake in Ukkadam area with Corporation Commissioner Sravan Kumar and other top officials in full attendance.

The photo, with a detailed caption, was also posted in the official Facebook page of the Coimbatore Corporation. However, it was removed hurriedly on Friday morning once the issue got flared up with the civic body receiving flak from social workers.

“It’s a gross misuse of power. What does a Minister’s brother have to do with the smart city project? This clearly shows Anbarasan is misusing power. Will those officials take me to the spot because I am a social worker?” asked Jayaram Venkatesh, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam.

Moreover, the Iyakkam has decided to raise this issue with the Coimbatore Corporation. “I will send a representation to the Coimbatore Corporation asking how this was allowed,” he said. The Iyakkam had earlier exposed irregularities and violations in tenders of Coimbatore Corporation being awarded to close aides of Velumani.

When asked, Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Sravan Kumar however faulted the PR department for posting the photo in the civic body’s official Facebook page without his consent.

“The PRO had done that without my concurrence. I had asked an explanation to initiate action against him,” he said. Further, the commissioner said it was by coincidence that Anbarasan came to the spot during their official inspection.

“I had a series of inspections in lakes on that day. It was a very narrow stretch and Anbarasan, who came by the way for some other work had stopped by. He just got down and greeted me for courtesy. That’s all and I didn’t speak a single word with him. He too didn’t inquire anything about the ongoing works. Even after he left, I was there for a while discussing the development of the project. It happened a few days ago,” the commissioner explained.