Ghose Kaleshwaram Report Tabled in Assembly
In addition to the Kaleshwaram report, several key bills were introduced in the Assembly, including the Panchayat Raj Act Amendment Bill and the Allopathic Private Medical Care Establishments Bill.
Hyderabad: Justice PC Ghose’s report on alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram project was tabled in the Assembly for discussion on Sunday.
The detailed report was shared with MLAs via pendrives.
It stated that lapses occurred in the preparation of estimates, administrative approvals and in obtaining clearances from the Central Water Commission.
Justice P.C. Ghosh observed that a barrage should not have been built at Medigadda and dismissed the argument that it was chosen because water was not available at Tummidihatti. He pointed out that the decision to construct Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram barrages was taken solely by the then Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. The report also said contracts were awarded without a thorough scrutiny of the DPRs, estimates were approved in haste, and profit margins for contractors were inflated by relaxing rules, causing losses to the state exchequer.
The commission further noted that the three barrages are not being managed properly and that their designs and drawings are riddled with flaws. It described the issuance of a substantial completion certificate to Medigadda as illegal, concluding that the project was marred by irregularities, faulty planning and gross mismanagement.
In addition to the Kaleshwaram report, several key bills were introduced in the Assembly, including the Panchayat Raj Act Amendment Bill and the Allopathic Private Medical Care Establishments Bill.
The Assembly also began discussions on the Municipalities Act 2019 Amendment Bill. Since the discussion is underway, the government will not issue an ordinance, Minister Sridhar Babu stated. The bill aims to provide 42% reservation for Backward Classes.
