Kaleshwaram project: Former finance minister Eatala probed, says all decisions handled by KCR, Harish

Hyderabad: Malkajgiri BJP MP and former Finance Minister Eatala Rajender has appeared before the Kaleshwaram Project Inquiry Commission at BRKR Bhavan here on Friday.

The commission, headed by chairman Justice PC Ghose conducted a detailed cross-examination as part of its ongoing probe into irregularities in the multi-crore irrigation project.

19 questions in 40 minutes

In the 40-minute session, the commission posed 19 questions to him, focusing primarily on financial decisions, fund allocations and administrative procedures related to the project. However, he distanced himself from key decisions related to the controversial multi-crore irrigation project.

Eatala maintained that the Finance Department had no significant role in the planning, design or execution of the project, which he said was entirely handled by then chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Eatala said, “Even if a gun is held to my head, I will speak the truth. The people of Telangana will decide who is right or wrong.” He also clarified that the redesign of the project was based on Cabinet decisions following recommendations from a sub-committee headed by Harish Rao.

The change in the project’s location from Thammidihatti to Medigadda was made in response to objections from the Central Water Commission and the Maharashtra government, he noted.

Key points from Eatala’s testimony:

- Limited Finance Role: Eatala claimed the Finance Department was not fully informed about the project's technical or financial intricacies.

- Cabinet-Driven Decisions: The barrage construction and redesign were decisions taken by the Cabinet, based on expert committee suggestions.

- Cost Escalation: The project, initially estimated at Rs 63,000 crore, rose to Rs 82,000 crore due to multiple reasons.

- Loan Questions: The commission questioned him about the role of the Finance Department in loans raised by the Kaleshwaram Corporation, but Eatala said it was handled entirely by the Irrigation Department.

- On Accountability: He urged the current Congress government to publish all related reports and take strict action against those responsible for the losses.

The former minister also reminded that KCR himself had described Kaleshwaram as his ‘dream project’ and emphasised that, regardless of political affiliation, he had always stood by ethical values.

Eatala Rajender’s statement before the Kaleshwaram Commission shifts focus back onto the decision-making authorities during the BRS regime. With investigations underway into alleged irregularities, his comments have added a new dimension to the high-profile inquiry.