The Andhra Pradesh Government on Tuesday refused to accept a demand draft for Rs.11.67 crores from Volkswagen AG representative, Frank Elbe citing that the CBI enquiry was in an advanced stage. He met the Chief Minister, YS Rajasekhara Reddy and sought to hand over the draft. The Chief Minister in a very noble gesture refused to accept it on the ground that the CBI was investigating the matter. He informed him that a large part of the money was already recovered. He appreciated the Volkswagen’s gesture in accepting moral responsibility for the damage.
Mr. Elbe said that he had also extended an invitation to the Government to send a delegation to Volkswagen’s headquarters in Germany. The Chief Minister said he had refused the money to ensure transparency and referred to the assurance given by him in the past that money would not be lost.
An official press release explained that the APIIC had released the equity amount on the written instructions to Mr. Schuster, the then Country Head of Volkswagen India Project. Mr. Elbe conveyed that the company’s continued strong interest in the car project in Andhra Pradesh and convey concern over the damage caused to the State Government.
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