Govt tells HC Ghosh panel confirmed KCR’s irregularities in Kaleshwaram project
HYDERABAD: The government informed the High Court that it had constituted the Justice Ghosh Commission to inquire into policy, administrative and financial irregularities in the construction and maintenance of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages of the Kaleshwaram project.
The state said the commission confirmed irregularities committed during the tenure of former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and concluded that unilateral decisions taken by him caused a loss of ₹7,500 crore to the public exchequer. Since the cabinet did not approve those decisions, they cannot be termed collective decisions, the government added.
Commission acted under constitutional mandate
The state submitted this in a counter filed in line with High Court directions on the petition in which Chandrasekhar Rao challenged the commission’s report. Irrigation department special chief secretary Rahul Bojja filed the counter.
The government argued that Chandrasekhar Rao cannot now object to the proceedings as he voluntarily appeared before the commission without raising any objections at that stage. It said he did not seek permission for cross-examination of witnesses and cannot raise the issue at a later point.
Former CM appeared voluntarily
The counter stated that the commission issued notices to all stakeholders and summoned Chandrasekhar Rao in accordance with procedure after examining other witnesses. It also held in-camera proceedings at his request. The state said the claim that he was denied a hearing was incorrect.
The government said the commission was set up in public interest. The National Dam Safety Authority, in its preliminary report, had flagged sinking of piers at Medigadda and deficiencies in planning, design, construction and maintenance, warning that the barrage could become unusable unless rebuilt. According to the government, public funds were misused for the benefit of a few.
Commission found officials and political leaders responsible
The Justice Ghosh Commission held that Chandrasekhar Rao, along with some political leaders, IAS officers and engineering officials, was responsible for the irregularities. It said his role warranted scrutiny as he was chief minister when key decisions on site selection and design were taken.
The commission noted that administrative approvals were granted 11 months before the detailed project report was submitted to the Central Water Commission. It found that contractor selection, estimate revisions and relaxations in conditions were done with ulterior intent. Enhancement of project estimates by ₹1,942.48 crore led to undue gains of ₹612.51 crore to contractors, which the commission recommended recovering.
State rejects allegations of political motive
The government said the petitioner had not challenged the commission’s procedure at any stage, and the report was not made public before being tabled in the assembly. It contended that media reports about a presentation made for cabinet awareness cannot be grounds to discredit the findings.
The counter described as baseless the allegation that the inquiry was intended to harm the former chief minister’s reputation. It said Chandrasekhar Rao did not raise questions under Sections 8(b) and 8(c) of the Commissions of Inquiry Act during the proceedings and cannot do so now.
The government requested the High Court to dismiss the petition.
