Latest news with #PCGhose
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Harish meets KCR in farmhouse ahead of Ghose panel hearing on Kaleshwaram
Hyderabad: With only one week left to appear before Justice (retired) PC Ghose one-man commission probing the Kaleshwaram project including the sinking of piers of Medigadda barrage and leakage in Annaram and Sundilla barrages, former minister T Harish Rao met former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at the latter's Erravelli farmhouse on Wednesday. Both discussed about the deposition before the PC Ghose commission, sources said. During the meeting, KCR made suggestions for preparing notes for appearance before the commission, sources said. KCR is slated to appear before the commission on June 5, Harish Rao on June 9 and ex-finance minister (now BJP MP) Eatala Rajender on June 6. Harish Rao, in consultation with retired govt engineers who worked on Kaleshwaram project and irrigation experts, is preparing detailed notes in support of their argument, especially on shifting of Kaleshwaram project from Thummudihatti to Medigadda, designs of barrages, water availability, WAPCOS survey, consultations with Maharashtra govt for MoU etc., sources said. Sources said if the Ghose commission permits, KCR will give a presentation on each step of the Kaleshwaram project.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Telangana ex-CM KCR summoned on June 5 over Kaleshwaram case
Justice P C Ghose Commission probing the alleged irregularities in the construction of barrages under the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) on Godavari river, on Tuesday summoned Bharat Rashtra Samithi president and former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) for questioning on June 5, people familiar with the development said. Justice Ghose, a former Supreme Court judge heading the judicial inquiry commission, directed KCR to appear on June 5 to present his version on the irregularities that allegedly took place in the construction of Kaleshwaram project. An official of the state irrigation department privy to the matter said the commission also issued notices to senior BRS legislator and former irrigation minister T Harish Rao and former finance minister and present BJP MP Etela Rajender, asking them to appear for questioning on June 6 and June 9 respectively. The official added that several senior engineers and officials deposed before the commission that key decisions related to the project were made in the presence of KCR, the then chief minister of Telangana, and were implemented under his directives. 'In the light of these statements, the commission now seeks to record the views of KCR, Harish Rao, and Rajender,' the official added. The commission is examining the design, construction, and operational aspects of major barrages built as part of the KLIP — particularly Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla — following reports of structural issues. The Medigadda barrage, which reportedly showed signs of sinking during October 2023 floods, prompted the Telangana government to form the inquiry commission in March 2024. The scope of the commission includes reviewing construction quality, design flaws, maintenance lapses, and accountability in financial and administrative oversight. The commission already interrogated high-ranking officials from the irrigation and finance departments, as well as representatives of the construction companies involved in the project and has to submit a report by the end of May. It has so far been granted seven extensions, with the latest one extending its tenure by a month. BRS leader and KCR's daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha said the notices to her father for questioning were 'part of a calculated political conspiracy to tarnish his image'. Taking to X, Kavitha said: 'The notices to KCR Garu over the Kaleshwaram project are part of a calculated political conspiracy to tarnish the image of a true people's leader.' She said Kaleshwaram was built for the welfare of farmers and future generations, not for politics. 'Today, this inefficient Congress government is undoing the very progress Telangana fought for. KCR garu has devoted his life to Telangana, transforming barren lands into fields of prosperity, and is now being targeted by a visionless regime,' she posted on X. She added: 'No vindictive Govt can diminish his legacy. The truth will prevail, and history will remember who stood for the people and who tried to bring them down.'
India Today
20-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Kaleshwaram irrigation project probe panel summons ex-Telangana Chief Minister
The Justice PC Ghose commission, investigating alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), has issued summons to former Telangana Chief Minister and BRS president K Chandrasekhar have also been sent to former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao and former Finance Minister Eatala Rajender. As per the schedule, KCR has been asked to appear on June 5, Harish Rao on June 6, and Eatala Rajender on June 9. They have 15 days to confirm their willingness to appear for commission is probing possible lapses in the planning, design, construction, quality control, operation and maintenance of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages under the KLIP. The inquiry was prompted by the collapse of piers at the Medigadda barrage and reported issues at other locations. The one-man commission, headed by retired Supreme Court judge and former Lokpal of India, Justice PC Ghose, was constituted in March 2024. It has examined reports from the National Dam Safety Authority and the state's vigilance department, both of which pointed to officials and engineers have reportedly stated that key decisions were made at the top political level, prompting the commission to seek clarification from senior leaders involved in the project's execution and major policy shifts, including the site relocation from Tummidihatti to IS KALESHWARAM LIFT IRRIGATION PROJECT?advertisementThe Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project is one of the largest multi-stage lift irrigation schemes in India. Conceived to draw water from the Godavari River, it aims to provide irrigation, drinking water, and industrial water supply across Telangana. The project includes several barrages and pump stations, with major components at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla. It has faced scrutiny over cost overruns, engineering failures, and allegations of mismanagement.
Deccan Herald
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Kaleshwaram project row: Inquiry commission summons KCR, Harish Rao and Etala
After Congress came to power, the government appointed the PC Ghose judicial commission to investigate allegations of large-scale irregularities in the construction of the previous BRS government's Rs 1 lakh crore Kaleshwaram irrigation project.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kaleshwaram probe: Ghose panel to summon KCR, Harish
1 2 Hyderabad: As the investigation into the sinking of piers at the Medigadda barrage and leakages at Annaram and Sundilla barrages reached the final stages, former judge, Justice PC Ghose , who heads the one-man commission of inquiry, has decided to summon former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao , former irrigation minister T Harish Rao , and ex-finance minister Eatala Rajender for questioning. All three barrages are part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme , which was executed during the BRS govt's tenure. According to govt sources, KCR and the former ministers will be given two weeks to appear before the commission and clarify certain key issues. Notices are expected to be served by late Monday night or Tuesday, the sources said. To facilitate the questioning of the former CM and ministers, the govt has extended the term of the Ghose Commission by two more months, until July 31. Previously, the deadline for submitting the final report was May 31. While the commission had initially planned to submit its findings in May, Justice Ghose reportedly decided to seek further clarification from KCR and Harish Rao, given their involvement in major policy decisions, particularly the relocation of the Kaleshwaram project site from Tummidihatti to Medigadda, and their reported role in decisions related to project cost, design, and execution. This development comes almost exactly a year after another inquiry—led by Justice (retd) L Narasimha Reddy—was set up to probe alleged irregularities in power purchase agreements and the construction of two thermal power plants during the BRS regime. That commission had also summoned KCR, asking him to give clarification either in person or in writing. At the time, KCR requested an extension until July 30. However, Justice Narasimha Reddy eventually resigned from the commission after the Supreme Court expressed concern over his informal interactions with the media regarding the inquiry. Govt sources emphasised that seeking clarification from KCR was necessary in the interest of natural justice, as several officials and engineers who have deposed before the commission reportedly claimed that they acted on the direct instructions of then chief minister KCR. Some senior engineers reportedly testified that key decisions, including those related to design approvals, quality control, and project execution, were made at the top level, without interference from the project staff. Last month, the commission received the final reports from the vigilance and enforcement department and the National Dam Safety Authority. Both reports pointed to irregularities in the construction of the barrages and recommended action against certain officials, sources said.
