Fri May 16 09:41:05 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

The Madras High Court is investigating potential corruption in a Tamil Nadu government scheme aimed at eradicating manual scavenging. The court is focusing on the involvement of a private company, Gen Green Logistics, linked to the nephew of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president, K. Selvaperunthagai, in the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS). The scheme involved collaborating with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) to offer loans and subsidies to “sanipreneurs.” YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar filed a PIL alleging misappropriation of funds, claiming the scheme was funneled through DICCI and a company formed by its president and Mr. Selvaperunthagai’s nephew. The Advocate General defended the scheme, stating DICCI was chosen on recommendation of Safai Karamchari Andolan and similar projects were successful elsewhere. The court has requested records from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) and adjourned the hearing to May 21, 2025. The Additional Advocate General questioned the timing and motives of the PIL.

**News Article:**

**Madras High Court Probes Alleged Corruption in Sanitation Scheme; Congress Leader’s Nephew Under Scrutiny**

**CHENNAI, May 16, 2025** – The Madras High Court is scrutinizing the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme (AABCS), a Tamil Nadu government initiative designed to eradicate manual scavenging and promote “sanipreneurs,” following allegations of corruption. A public interest litigation (PIL) filed by YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar has prompted the court to investigate the involvement of a private company and potential misappropriation of public funds.

At the heart of the inquiry is Gen Green Logistics, a company allegedly linked to R. Veeramani, the nephew of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K. Selvaperunthagai. The court is seeking to determine if Mr. Veeramani is a director in the company, which is said to have been involved in implementing the state government scheme.

The AABCS, launched in 2023, aimed to provide loans and subsidies to individuals to purchase sanitation-related equipment. The government collaborated with the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) to identify beneficiaries. Shankar alleges that DICCI’s president, Ravi Kumar Narra, and Mr. Veeramani then formed Gen Green Logistics, which entered into agreements with beneficiaries. Shankar claims this arrangement led to a major scam in the scheme’s implementation.

During Friday’s hearing, Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayanan questioned Advocate General P.S. Raman about the alleged involvement of Mr. Veeramani and the circumstances surrounding DICCI’s selection as a collaborator. Justice Swaminathan warned the A-G, “If it is true, then you are in trouble,” referring to the allegations.

The Advocate General defended the scheme, stating that DICCI was chosen based on the recommendation of Safai Karamchari Andolan, a national organization working to eradicate manual scavenging. He also highlighted similar successful projects implemented in other states in collaboration with DICCI.

The court has directed the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to submit all records related to the AABCS by May 21, 2025. Additional Advocate General J. Ravindran questioned the timing and motives of the PIL, suggesting the petitioner’s record was not clean. The case is scheduled to resume on May 21, 2025.

The investigation raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in government initiatives and the potential for conflicts of interest when private entities are involved in public programs.

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