Tummala terms Eatala Rajender's remarks on Kaleshwaram as ‘motivated and misleading'
Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao strongly refuted the comments of BJP MP and his former colleague in the BRS government, Eatala Rajender, before the PC Ghose Commission on the Kaleshwaram project that alleged his role in the clearance of the project.
'Eatala's comments on me are completely false, and one wonders whether they were made under external pressure,' the Minister remarked at a press conference here on Saturday while questioning the motives behind them.
Mr. Tummala clarified that the sub-committee he had referenced was not related to the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project but to look into other pending projects under the broader umbrella of irrigation, such as Devadula, Kantanapalli, and Dummugudem. 'It was never constituted specifically for Kaleshwaram project,' he explained.
The Minister also revealed that the Kaleshwaram project never received formal Cabinet approval. The KCR Cabinet did not deliberate or come forward with a decision on the project. The works were executed merely based on an executive order, he argued.
The Minister announced that he would submit the sub-committee report related to irrigation projects to the Kaleshwaram Commission suo motu, and would fully cooperate with the panel.
'At the appropriate time, I will tell the Commission what really happened with the Kaleshwaram project,' he said. He further said, 'My suggestions at that time were always in the interest of the people and farmers.'
He said he is ready for a transparent discussion with anyone, but misleading the people with false statements is not acceptable.
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