Uttam: BJP helped BRS commit Kaleshwaram scam, judicial probe begins this week

Hyderabad: Irrigation and Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy rebuked the criticism by Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on the Congress government about the Kaleshwaram project. He also announced that the judicial probe into the Kaleshwaram project would commence this week.

Addressing a press conference at Dr BR Ambedkar's Secretariat on Tuesday, Uttam Kumar Reddy refuted the allegations made by Kishan Reddy, asserting that they were far from reality. He accused Kishan Reddy of attempting to mislead the public by levelling baseless allegations against Congress. Strongly condemning Kishan Reddy’s accusations, Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasised that the Congress government has been working transparently.

‘BRS, BJP collaborated extensively’

Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted that the previous ruling TRS/BRS government in Telangana and the BJP government at the Centre had collaborated for nearly 3,500 days. “However, Kishan Reddy is now targeting the new Congress government in Telangana, which has not completed even 20 days in power,” he said.

Ridiculing Kishan Reddy’s allegations, he questioned the BJP leaders’ inaction during the previous 10 years when the Kaleshwaram project scam occurred under the then BRS government.

‘BJP turned blind eye to BRS corruption’

He alleged that the BJP government not only helped the BRS government secure significant loans from Central agencies and banks but also turned a blind eye to the extensive corruption and irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project.

Citing instances, Uttam Kumar Reddy stated that the Power Finance Corporation, a Central agency for funding the power sector, amended its Memorandum of Articles to provide a loan of Rs 1.2 lakh crore to the Kaleshwaram project.

Similarly, he pointed out that the Rural Electrification Corporation, established solely for electrification-related issues, arranged a loan of Rs 60,000 crore for the Kaleshwaram project. He noted that it was unprecedented in the history of independent India for two Central agencies designed for power-related subjects to fund an irrigation project by changing their rules.

‘Why is RBI silent on BRS loans?’

Moreover, he questioned why the Reserve Bank of India and other Central agencies remained silent when the BRS government borrowed significant loans for irrigation projects. Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded that Kishan Reddy provide a clarification on this matter. He criticised the BJP leaders for their silence when the project cost escalated from Rs 80,000 crore, as approved by the Central Working Commission, to a whopping Rs 1.27 lakh crore. The redesigning and re-engineering of the Kaleshwaram project went unquestioned, with no due diligence by the BJP government at the Centre.

‘BJP did not care about Medigadda Barrage incident’

Regarding the Medigadda Barrage incident, Uttam Kumar Reddy suggested that Kishan Reddy should apply common sense before commenting on it. He highlighted that Kishan Reddy, being a Union Minister, did not visit the site despite the incident occurring in a project funded by the Centre. The foundation of the Medigadda barrage sank five feet on October 21, 2023, yet Kishan Reddy remained inactive.

Uttam Kumar Reddy criticised Kishan Reddy for not questioning the then chief minister KCR’s silence from October 21 to December 7 when the Congress government took over. He pointed out that Kishan Reddy did not speak up when media access to the Medigadda barrage was restricted to report the damage.

‘No BJP enquiry into Kaleshwaram’

Uttam Kumar Reddy emphasised that the present Congress government, under the leadership of chief minister Revanth Reddy, believes in transparency. A team of Cabinet ministers, along with media representatives, visited the Medigadda barrage to assess the situation. The Congress government is committed to ordering a probe and holding the guilty accountable.

Uttam Kumar Reddy criticised BJP leaders, including prime minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, and BJP president JP Nadda, for talking about the Kaleshwaram scam without initiating any enquiry by the CBI or Enforcement Directorate.

He highlighted the contrasting approach where the BJP government targets opposition leaders in various states but has not ordered a single enquiry against the KCR government, despite serious allegations of corruption. He mentioned that even KCR’s daughter, Kalvakuntla Kavitha, accused of the liquor scam, has been let go without any action being taken against her.

“When I, as an MP, asked a question in Parliament about the national project status for the Kaleshwaram project, the Centre replied that the State government did not apply for it in the prescribed format,” he said, emphasising that the entire Telangana has been burdened with huge debt in the name of irrigation projects.

“Despite serious allegations, the BJP government at the Centre did not react or reprimand the BRS government in Telangana,” he added.

'Report on Kaleshwaram project soon'

Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that the Congress government would fulfil its commitment as outlined in the party manifesto, a reassurance also given by CM Revanth Reddy in the Legislative Council. He stated that the judicial inquiry into the Kaleshwaram project would commence this week, and those found guilty would not be spared.

The irrigation minister reiterated that the agencies responsible for the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundella barrages should undertake the necessary repairs. Cabinet ministers, along with officials, have inspected the damages, and a report will be submitted to the chief minister. Further action will be initiated based on the findings, he said.