LIVE: Siemens Company's Former MD Sensational Press Meet

Suman Bose, the former Managing Director of Siemens Company, held a media conference on Sunday to address allegations of corruption and the recent arrest of Chandrababu Naidu in connection with the Skill Development Project in Andhra Pradesh. During the conference, Bose offered detailed insights into the project's objectives and defended its integrity. He explained that the Skill Development Project was primarily designed to enhance the skills of students in Andhra Pradesh, aligning them with the needs of the industry. Contrary to allegations, the project's main goal was skill development, not the production of goods. As part of this initiative, more than 200 labs were established across the country. Bose highlighted that by 2021, approximately 2.13 lakh students had successfully completed their training under the program, with many of them securing gainful employment. One key point of contention revolved around the Skill Development Project's integrity and whether it had received praise in the past. Bose pointed out that even the APSS DC MD had commended the project earlier. He expressed bewilderment at how the same official could now level allegations against it. Bose emphasized that the project's results were evident and refuted all allegations, considering them baseless. He called for a thorough investigation before confirming any corruption charges, particularly given that corruption allegations typically require proper evidence. Providing further details, Bose outlined the project's structure, stating that it was executed on a build-operate-transfer basis. He confirmed that the project and training centers had been transferred to the government in 2021. Furthermore, Bose recalled that the project had received recognition from the Center in 2016, even being cited as a useful case study. In closing, Bose expressed his sadness at the serious allegations being made against him and others involved in the Skill Development Project. He highlighted that most of the project's components were acquired through discounts from Siemens, leading him to question how corruption could be possible when discounts were involved.