Sharmila writes to PM alleging massive corruption in Kaleshwaram project

Hyderabad: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Telangana, Y.S Sharmila, the leader of YSR Telangana Party, has written to him requesting an immediate investigation and action against the massive corruption and large-scale irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.

Her party has also launched a "posters campaign" to bring the issue to the Prime Minister's attention. Posters have been plastered throughout Ramagundam, Godavarikhani, and the surrounding villages.

Speaking during her padayatra on Friday, Sharmila said, "On the occasion of the Prime Minister's visit to Telangana, YSR Telangana Party has written to him seeking an immediate investigation into what is alleged to be the country's largest irrigation-related scam, the Kaleshwaram Project scam. I have made a strong request to him to act on this issue in the larger interest of Telangana's farmers."

Sharmila expressed disappointment that her party has been fighting hard against KCR and his contractors' gains in the project, including massive irregularities, falsification, inflation, and embezzlement, as well as compromising on standards and quality, which has resulted in massive damage. But no action has been taken to date, she alleged.

"We have filed complaints with the CBI and the CAG, backed up by strong evidence and documents proving corruption. Even when Central ministers visit Telangana, they point out the corruption in the project but have never taken any action, which is nothing more than lip service," she said.

She added, "I implore the Prime Minister not to stop at allegations, as his Cabinet colleagues have done, but to act in the best interests of the people of Telangana, particularly the farmers."

Sharmila further said, "The farmers of Telangana's drought-ridden and parched lands have been backstabbed by KCR who increased the project cost to Rs. 1.20 lakh crores from Rs. 40,000 crores with no extra acreage shown. This has robbed the state exchequer, and farmers have suffered irreversible losses. We hope that the government of India will launch an investigation after learning of these shocking facts, which truly make this a national scam. We must not forget that nearly Rs. 1 lakh crores have been distributed by Central public sector undertakings and funding agencies."

Earlier, Sharmila met senior officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and submitted a complaint along with evidence seeking action.