TELANGANA: Revanth Reddy Hands Kaleshwaram Probe to CBI
The Telangana Legislative Assembly has resolved to transfer the investigation into alleged irregularities and structural failures in the Kaleshwaram barrages to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
This decision, announced by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy during deliberations on the Justice PC Ghosh Commission report, underscores the involvement of inter-state entities and central agencies such as the Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and Power Finance Corporation (PFC).
Revanth Reddy emphasized the necessity for an impartial inquiry, citing potential conflicts of interest if conducted by state-affiliated bodies.
He highlighted reports from the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA), Vigilance, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), and the Ghosh Commission, which collectively attribute lapses to the previous administration.
Inter-State Dimensions Prompt CBI Referral
The assembly’s late-night session, extending beyond midnight, concluded with an indefinite adjournment following the CBI handover announcement.
Revanth Reddy articulated concerns over integrity perceptions, aiming to eliminate any basis for defamation or bias allegations.
He vowed stringent measures against those implicated in fiscal mismanagement, including alterations to project nomenclature, site locations, and cost estimations that purportedly facilitated substantial financial diversions.
Historical Project Evolution and Criticisms
Originally designated as the Pranahita-Chevella project under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) in 2013, it qualified for 75% central funding.
Revanth Reddy critiqued the redesign to Kaleshwaram, alleging it transformed the initiative into a conduit for resource exploitation.
The shift from Tummidihetti to Medigadda barrage sites, despite Maharashtra’s concurrence for a 148-meter height structure and endorsements from WAPCOS and the Union Water Resources Minister, escalated costs from Rs. 38,000 crore to Rs. 1.47 lakh crore.
- Reduced construction and maintenance burdens at Tummidihetti were foregone.
- Electricity consumption surged from 3,000 MW to 8,450 MW due to additional lifts.
- Prior expenditures of Rs. 11,670 crore were rendered inefficient post-redesign.
Commission Findings and Political Repercussions
The NDSA deemed the project’s design, construction, and oversight deficiencies as inexcusable, attributing structural collapses at Medigadda to governance failures.
Revanth Reddy noted attempts to discredit such reports as politically motivated.
The Justice PC Ghosh Commission, appointed within three months of the current government’s inception, integrated inputs from NDSA, Vigilance, and CAG.
It faced legal challenges over procedural notices, prompting cautious progression.
Responses to Opposition Allegations
Revanth Reddy rebuked criticisms from former ministers, asserting the commission’s revelations exposed systemic manipulations.
He called for expunging misleading statements from assembly records and urged direct input on further probes via agencies like Enforcement Directorate (ED) or Income Tax.
The Chief Minister affirmed commitments to accountability, assuring rigorous action against culpable parties in line with public assurances on the multi-crore discrepancies.