Planning and construction of the Kalesharam lift irrigation scheme (KLIS), including the barrages at Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram, happened during the BRS government’s first term between 2014-18
Hyderabad: Former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, and former irrigation minister T Harish Rao are to be summoned by the Justice P.C. Ghose commission of inquiry probing various aspects of the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation scheme’s three barrages. Also to be summoned will be BJP MP Etala Rajendar who was a finance minister during the BRS regime, it is learnt.
While the notices to appear for cross-examination were yet to be served, it is learnt that these three leaders will be asked to appear before the commission and will have two weeks to respond from the time they receive the notices.
The decision on issuing summons to Chandrashekar Rao, Harish Rao, and Rajendar, came on a day when the state government decided to extend the term of the commission by two months, till July 31, the date by which it has to submit its report to the state government. The commission’s term was to end on May 31.
It is learnt that if the three were not called and given an opportunity to present their side to the probe on matters related to the barrages, then it could create legal complications later.
It may be recalled that it was during the previous BRS regime, headed by Chandrashekar Rao, that the Kaleshwaram project was conceived, planned, designed, executed, and built. While Harish Rao was the irrigation minister, and Rajendar was the finance minister in the BRS government’s first term. In its second term, Chandrashekar Rao, who was the chief minister, also held the irrigation portfolio.
Until Monday, it was expected that the commission will submit its report to the government sometime this week with indications that it was nearly ready with its report. Though the commission had cross-examined several officials from irrigation, finance, and even from those who were in the Chief Minister’s Office during the BRS regime, it had not questioned the three leaders.
It may be recalled that during their cross examination by the commission, several current and former officials of the government did not hesitate to point their fingers at Chandrashekar Rao and Harish Rao as the final authority whose decisions were acted upon. Though Rajendar had nothing to do with the irrigation department, as the then-finance minister, his role in how the funds were released for the project, are expected to come under scrutiny now.
Important Points:
Planning and construction of the Kalesharam lift irrigation scheme (KLIS), including the barrages at Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram, happened during the BRS government’s first term between 2014-18
During K. Chandrashekar Rao’s second term as Chief Minster, he also held the irrigation portfolio.
The barrages and the project were inaugurated in 2019.
Problems began cropping up at the barrages right from the start.
In October 2023, one of Medigadda barrage’s blocks developed serious cracks and part of it sank into the Godavari river bed.
It was also found that Annaram and Sundilla barrages too had been suffering from leakages and serious foundation stability issues.
The Justice Ghose commission of inquiry was first set up in March 2024 with three month ending on June 30 that year, but subsequently received several extensions, with Monday’s being the latest.
