Hyderabad: Former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao will be summoned by the PC Ghose Judicial Committee to explore various aspects of the three weapons of the Kaleshwaram Lift Inligation Incrigation program. Also to be called is BJP MP Etala Rajendar, the finance minister during the BRS regime.
Although no notice of cross-examination has been made, it is understood that the three leaders will be required to appear before the committee and have a two-week response from the time of receipt of the notice.
The decision to issue a subpoena to Chandrashekar Rao, Harish Rao and Rajendar was a day after the state government decided to extend the term of the committee for two months until July 31, which was the date when the report must be submitted to the state government. The term of office of the committee ends on May 31.
It is understood that if these three are not summoned and have the opportunity to raise one aspect of the detection of ballistic-related issues, then legal complications may be caused later.
It may be remembered that during the former BRS regime led by Chandrashekar Rao, the Kaleshwaram project was conceived, planned, designed, executed and built by the Kaleshwaram project. Harish Rao is the Minister of Irrigation, while Rajendar is the Minister of Finance for the first term of the BRS government. Chief Minister Chandrashekar Rao also served as the irrigation portfolio during his second term.
Until Monday, the Commission is expected to submit its report to the government sometime this week, with signs that its report is ready. Although the committee has interrogated several officials, including irrigation, finance, and even from irrigation, finance during the BRS regime, it has not questioned the three leaders.
It can be recalled that during the committee’s cross-examination, several current and former officials of the government did not hesitate to point their fingers at Chandrashekar Rao and Harish Rao as the final authorities whose decision has taken action. Although Rajendar has nothing to do with the irrigation sector, his role in the funding of the project, as the then-secretary of finance, is now expected to be under scrutiny.
Key points:
The planning and construction of the Kalesharam Lift Irrigation Program (KLIS), including the barrage of Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram, took place during the first semester of the BRS government between 2014-18
During K. Chandrashekar Rao’s second term as Chief Cathedral, he also served as the Irrigation Combination.
Barrage and the project opened in 2019.
There have been problems with obstacles from the beginning.
In October 2023, severe cracks occurred in a neighborhood of Medigadda Barrage, part of which sank into the Godavari riverbed.
It was also found that Annaram and Sundilla barrage were also plagued by leaks and serious basic stability issues.
The Goss Judicial Inquiry Commission was first established in March 2024, as of June 30 of that year, but has subsequently received several expansions, the latest on Monday.
