Harish Rao: Ghose Commission Report 'Politically Motivated'
31 Aug 2025 9:44 PM IST31 Aug 2025 9:44 PM IST
Harish Rao argued that while Telangana was reeling under floods and farmers were suffering due to shortage of urea, the government chose to divert attention by rushing the discussion on the report
T. Harish Rao. Image by: Deepak Deshpande
Hyderabad: Former irrigation minister and BRS MLA T. Harish Rao on Sunday termed the Justice P.C. Ghose commission report on the Kaleshwaram project as a “politically motivated witch-hunt” by the Congress government aimed at targeting the Opposition party and former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. Harish Rao alleged that the commission had failed to follow due process under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, and its findings would not withstand legal scrutiny.
Participating in the Assembly debate on the commission's report, Harish Rao argued that while Telangana was reeling under floods and farmers were suffering due to shortage of urea, the government chose to divert attention by rushing the discussion on the report. He questioned the timing of the debate, saying it was scheduled hurriedly on a Sunday only to gain political mileage. “Instead of being with flood-hit people, the government is indulging in mudslinging,” he said.
Harish Rao asserted that the commission violated Sections 8(b) and 8(c) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, which mandate notice and opportunity of defence to those likely to be affected by findings. “Neither KCR nor officials were given a chance to defend themselves. Without cross-examination and fairness, the report has no legal value,” he said, citing Supreme Court judgments in ‘Ramkrishna Dalmia vs Justice Tendulkar’ (1958) and ‘Kiran Bedi vs Committee of Inquiry’ (1989), which held that reports prepared without adherence to natural justice were null and void.
He alleged that the reports were being timed to suit political convenience — a preliminary report (by the National Dam Safety Authority, NDSA) before the November 30, 2023, Assembly polls, interim report before the Lok Sabha elections last year, the final report during the BRS Formation Day, and the debate in the Assembly just ahead of the local bodies elections. “Is this governance or a drama company,” he asked.
Harish Rao defended the Kaleshwaram project, claiming water availability assessments and design changes were recommended by expert retired engineers and communicated to the commission, but their inputs were ignored. He accused the Ghose panel of overlooking Central Water Commission (CWC) data and misrepresenting facts.
Highlighting that only two piers at Medigadda had developed defects while the rest of the vast irrigation network was functioning effectively, he said the Congress government was exaggerating issues to malign the BRS. “This is an unfair, illogical and politically motivated report. It will not stand in any court of law,” he declared, reiterating that BRS would legally challenge the commission's findings.
Harish Rao asserted that the commission violated Sections 8(b) and 8(c) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, which mandate notice and opportunity of defence to those likely to be affected by findings. “Neither KCR nor officials were given a chance to defend themselves. Without cross-examination and fairness, the report has no legal value,” he said, citing Supreme Court judgments in ‘Ramkrishna Dalmia vs Justice Tendulkar’ (1958) and ‘Kiran Bedi vs Committee of Inquiry’ (1989), which held that reports prepared without adherence to natural justice were null and void.
He alleged that the reports were being timed to suit political convenience — a preliminary report (by the National Dam Safety Authority, NDSA) before the November 30, 2023, Assembly polls, interim report before the Lok Sabha elections last year, the final report during the BRS Formation Day, and the debate in the Assembly just ahead of the local bodies elections. “Is this governance or a drama company,” he asked.
Harish Rao defended the Kaleshwaram project, claiming water availability assessments and design changes were recommended by expert retired engineers and communicated to the commission, but their inputs were ignored. He accused the Ghose panel of overlooking Central Water Commission (CWC) data and misrepresenting facts.
Highlighting that only two piers at Medigadda had developed defects while the rest of the vast irrigation network was functioning effectively, he said the Congress government was exaggerating issues to malign the BRS. “This is an unfair, illogical and politically motivated report. It will not stand in any court of law,” he declared, reiterating that BRS would legally challenge the commission's findings.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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