Representatives of the Democratic Association of the French Living Abroad and French Socialist Party on Tuesday sought transparency in the accounts of funds raised on behalf of the community for various projects and organisations in Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe regions.
Prosper Emmanuel, secretary and federal consular – French Socialist Party, said they have complained about the alleged misappropriation of funds by the representative of French citizens to the Consulate General of France in Puducherry, Embassy of France in New Delhi and other organisations.
They alleged that the representative who had received funds up to Rs. 58.12 lakh from French citizens living abroad refused to provide details on the utilisation of funds.
Adrien Mirande, President of Democratic Association of the French Living Abroad, alleged that funds were also taken towards renovation of Dupleix Park, Foyer Du Soldat, a public welfare organisation catering to retired soldiers from Puducherry and maintenance of the Christian cemetery. “These three are maintained by the government of Puducherry. Why should the representative seek funds for this? Did he get the consent of the government? All these questions remain unanswered,” he said.
In a press meet held on Tuesday, they stated that all this had to be brought to the notice of the French community of Puducherry and the representative has the responsibility of being transparent in the exact utilisation of funds.
However, M. Prédibane Siva, elected representative to the French Assembly of Overseas Citizens of Asia and Oceania, said: “All the allegations against me are baseless. As a representative, I have sought funds for different organisations here. The donors and Senators in France have sent the funds directly to these institutes. I have not received any funds in my account.
“They are accusing without any evidence and trying to tarnish my image since the elections for the French citizens are scheduled next year. I am answerable only to the donors and senators in Paris and not to those who are bent on damaging my reputation.”
