Telangana CM Orders CBI Probe into Kaleshwaram Project Irregularities

Hyderabad, September 1 (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has declared a CBI inquiry into the alleged irregularities surrounding the Kaleshwaram project, originally constructed during the tenure of the previous BRS government.

During the Legislative Assembly session, which concluded at around 2 AM on Monday, Reddy emphasized the importance of a CBI probe, citing the involvement of various interstate issues, alongside central and state government departments and agencies in the project.

He further noted that the design, construction, and financing of the Kaleshwaram project involved several central government organizations and financial institutions.

“Therefore, with the Speaker’s permission, we are deciding to hand over the investigation to the CBI. Given the myriad of involved issues and those warranting inquiry, our government will issue orders for a CBI probe,” Reddy said.

The reports from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and the judicial commission highlighted the need for a deep and thorough investigation into the project’s various concerns, he added.

The judicial commission pointed out numerous defects and irregularities, suggesting potential grounds for criminal proceedings.

According to the NDSA report, flaws related to planning, design, and quality control contributed to the failure of the Medigadda barrage, part of the Kaleshwaram project, the Chief Minister stated.

He mentioned that the government had already paid Rs 49,835 crore in principal and interest for the project’s loans, which included Rs 29,956 crore as interest and a principal payment of Rs 19,879 crore.

Reddy noted his negotiations with the Central government, resulting in a debt restructuring of over Rs 26,000 crore.

The Chief Minister criticized the previous BRS government for acquiring loans at excessive interest rates. He alleged that to divert public funds, the BRS administration moved the barrage’s location from Thummidi Hatti to Medigadda, despite a contrary report from retired engineers.

On Sunday, the assembly received the judicial commission’s report, led by former Supreme Court judge Justice P C Ghose.

The commission advised the state government to contemplate legal action against former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.

In response, the BRS staged a walkout from the assembly, arguing they weren’t given adequate time to present their side on the judicial commission’s report.

“While the then Minister for Irrigation gave random instructions and the Minister for Finance & Planning showed indifference regarding the state’s financial well-being, the then Chief Minister can be held directly and vicariously accountable for planning, construction, operation, and maintenance irregularities and illegalities of the three barrages,” the commission’s report asserted.

The government is now tasked with examining and potentially acting against those implicated, following legal protocols.

The Commission’s findings were submitted to the government on July 31.

The assembly briefly discussed the report on Sunday.

Located in Bhupalpally district, the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is a multi-purpose endeavor on the Godavari River. Damage to the barrages, constructed during the former BRS governance, emerged as a significant issue in the 2023 Assembly elections.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)