Latest news with #KaleshwaramLiftIrrigation
Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Cabinet to take a call on Ghose panel report today
Hyderabad: The state cabinet, which will meet here on Monday, will deliberate on the Justice PC Ghose Commission's report on alleged corruption and irregularities in the construction of Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation (KLIS) project. This was confirmed by Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Sunday. He clarified that a final decision will be taken after the issue is discussed threadbare by the cabinet. The report focuses on cost escalation and alleged mismanagement during the BRS government's tenure. Addressing an event in Peddapalli district on Sunday, the Minister criticised the Kaleshwaram project, stating that Rs one lakh crore had been wasted, while the Medigadda barrage had failed to provide any benefit. He pointed out that although Kaleshwaram passes through Manthani constituency, it had not irrigated even a single acre in the region. He said that despite this lacuna, Telangana had managed to achieve record paddy production, which shows that the state's agricultural performance was not dependent on Kaleshwaram alone. The Minister emphasised that his statements were not mere political criticism against a rival party but were substantiated by facts. Monday's cabinet meeting is in line with the decision to hold cabinet meetings twice a month to expedite policy implementation and improve governance. Previously, the Telangana cabinet had decided to implement a 42% reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections and admissions for native students in MBBS colleges. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on Tuesday 5 regarding a government order prioritising Telangana natives in medical college admissions. The State cabinet will also address the implementation of the Rajiv Yuva Vikasam Scheme and matters concerning government employees, including a report submitted by a specifically constituted three-member committee. The finalisation of the Indiramma Housing scheme and allocation of houses across Telangana are also expected to be discussed. Meanwhile, the cabinet is likely to consider a new paddy procurement policy and measures for rehabilitation of families affected by the Musi rejuvenation project.
Hans India
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kaleshwaram project: KCR to appear before Ghose Commission on June 11
Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) President and former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will appear before Justice PC Ghose Commission, probing irregularities in the execution of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation project, on June 11. KCR, as Chandrasekhar Rao is popularly known, was asked to appear on June 5, but on his request, the Commission changed the date. The Commission on May 20 had issued notices to KCR, former minister T. Harish Rao and BJP MP Eatala Rajender. BRS leader Harish Rao has been summoned on June 6. Rajender has been directed to appear before the Commission on June 9. When KCR was the Chief Minister, Harish Rao was the Irrigation Minister, while Rajender was the Finance Minister. The Commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose, is probing the alleged irregularities in planning, design, construction, quality control, operation and maintenance of Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram project. The one-man Commission was constituted in March 2024, a few months after some piers of the Medigadda Barrage caved in. The term of the Commission has been extended repeatedly for seven times so far after its initial term ended on June 30, 2024. Notices to KCR, Harish Rao and Rajender were issued a day after the state government extended the Commission's term for two more months, till July 31, to enable it to complete the examination of all those involved. The Commission has so far examined over 100 engineers, retired and serving officials associated with the barrages and others. Most of the engineers who were examined by the Commission either admitted to lapses in the procedures or expressed ignorance about decision-making. The Commission examined various documents, including the final report of the National Dam Safety Authority, the Vigilance report and other files. The panel was expected to submit its report to the government on May 21 or 22. However, the Commission decided to examine KCR, Harish Rao and Rajender as most of the engineers and officials who deposed before it stated that the decisions were taken in the presence of the then Chief Minister and that they acted on the Chief Minister's and ministers' orders. The BRS alleged that the notice to KCR is an attempt by the Congress government to cover up its corruption and failures.
Hans India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
KCR to appear before Ghose panel on June 5
Hyderabad: Former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao will appear before Justice PC Ghose Commission of inquiry probing the Kaleshwaram project issue on June 5. The commission is making arrangements in the office to record his statements as regards the damages at Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages and alleged corruption in the construction of the multi-crore Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation project. Rao informed his readiness to appear before the commission on Tuesday. Sources said that Justice Ghose will quiz the BRS chief for at least five hours on the first day. The questioning will continue for another two days. The panel will seek his clarifications on the recorded statements of irrigation officials, former secretaries of the irrigation department and retired officials, who were part of the engineering team during the construction of the project. Till date, the commission has grilled more than 50 irrigation officials, including the retired engineers-in-chief, who had executed the works pertaining to the Kaleshwaram lift scheme. Most of the irrigation officials admitted that KCR had finalised the designs of the three damaged barrages. Central Design Organisation officials from the department have submitted evidence to the panel on the project design changes, at the behest of KCR. KCR would be asked to come clear on mobilisation of advances, taking loans at exorbitant interest rates from central funding agencies and his role in the financial management of the entire project. His explanation on the findings in the NDSA final report and the Vigilance and Enforcement department report on Medigadda would also be recorded. The commission has already prepared 90 per cent of the report (nearly 400 pages) and the remaining part will be completed soon after KCR, then irrigation minister T Harish Rao and former finance minister Eatala Rajendar depose by July.
Hans India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Kaleshwaram probe: Ghose Commission summons KCR, ex-ministers
Hyderabad: Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, which is probing irregularities in the execution of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation project, has summoned former chief minister and BRS president K. Chandrasekhar Rao. The Commission has also issued notices to former Minister T. Harish Rao and BJP MP Eatala Rajender. While K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) has been asked to appear on June 5, BRS leader Harish Rao has been summoned on June 6. Rajender has been directed to appear before the Commission on June 9. During KCR's first term as the chief minister between 2014 and 2018, Harish Rao was the irrigation minister while Rajender held the finance portfolio. During KCR's second term from 2018 to 2023, Harish Rao was the finance minister, while the irrigation portfolio was with KCR. The Commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose, is probing the alleged irregularities in planning, design, construction, quality control, operation and maintenance of Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla Barrages of the Kaleshwaram project. The one-man Commission was constituted in March 2024, a few months after some piers of the Medigadda Barrage caved in. The term of the Commission has been extended repeatedly for seven times so far after its initial term ended on June 30, 2024. Notices to KCR, Harish Rao and Rajender were issued a day after the state government extended the Commission's term for two more months, till July 31, to enable it to complete the examination of all those involved. The Commission has so far examined over 100 engineers, retired and serving officials associated with the barrages and others. Most of the engineers who were examined by the Commission either admitted to lapses in the procedures or expressed ignorance about decision-making. The Commission examined various documents, including the final report of the National Dam Safety Authority, the Vigilance report and other files. The panel was expected to submit its report to the government on May 21 or 22. However, the Commission decided to examine KCR, Harish Rao and Rajender as most of the engineers and officials who deposed before it stated that the decisions were taken in the presence of the then chief minister and that they acted on the chief minister's and ministers' orders. Meanwhile, reacting to the notices, BRS leader Krishank Manne alleged that a notice was issued to KCR to disturb BRS NRI celebrations scheduled to be held in the United States on June 1.
