Revanth on Kaleshwaram: KCR embezzled public money; project officials might pay for repair

Bhupalpally: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy accused Bharat Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrashekhar Rao of embezzling crores of public money in the name of developing the Kaleshwaram project.

After reviewing the PowerPoint presentations made by Vigilance DG Rajiv Ratan and in-charge chief engineer Sudhakar Reddy regarding the status transitions of the Kaleshwaram project, Revanth Reddy addressed the media.

“The State Government’s vigilance inquiry and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) found anomalies in the Kaleshwaram project that the former BRS government had concealed. It was found that the estimates were revised to Rs 4,000 crores from Rs 1,800 crores as given by the previous Congress government,” the chief minister said.

Revanth challenges KCR for a discussion

Revanth Reddy alleged that the Opposition leader resorted to large-scale corruption in the name of Medigadda Lakshmi Barrage. “KCR is purposefully skipping the current Assembly Budget Sessions, citing a hip injury. How was he able to go to the Chalo Nalgonda public meeting then? It is nothing but to gain sympathy from the public,” Revanth Reddy said.

The chief minister also pointed out that it was the previous BRS government which gave its consent to hand over Krishna River projects to KRMB and is now intentionally targeting the Congress government fighting which is protecting the water needs of Telangana people.

“If KCR had not committed any irregularities, he should take part in the Assembly’s discussion on the White Paper on irrigation projects as well as the transfer of Krishna River projects to the Centre,” he said and questioned irrigation minister T Harish Rao’s support to the resolution when it was faulty.

‘KCR diverting attention with Chalo Nalgonda’

Taking potshots at KCR, Revanth Reddy said that the former CM is once again trying to hoodwink the people of Telangana during the public meeting in Nalgonda with his tall claims of bringing BRS back to power in the state.

“Why has KCR remained a mute spectator after the pillars of Medigadda Lakshmi Barrage sunk? The Opposition leader has organised a ‘Chalo Nalgonda’ public meeting to divert the discussion on irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project,” he said.

He also added that the former chief minister is now speaking about the fluoride problem in Nalgonda district despite ruling the state for a decade.

Revanth says BJP protecting KCR

CM Revanth demanded KCR to disclose his stand on the Kaleshwaram project.

“Why should we not blacklist L&T for its irregularities? For a transparent inquiry, we have appealed for a probe by a sitting judge. But the BJP wants CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) to conduct the probe to protect KCR,” he said.

Launching a scathing attack on the BRS and BJP for boycotting the Medigadda Lakshmi Barrage visit, Revanth Reddy demanded the saffron party and Union tourism minister G Kishan Reddy to disclose its stand on Medigadda.

He even alleged that the BJP would ally with BRS in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

Kaleshwaram officials might bear repair costs

Speaking about the reconstruction of the barrage, Revanth Reddy said that the government will convey its decision after considering the recommendations of the expert committee.

The chief minister also said that an investigation is underway to initiate stern action against the officials involved in the irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project. “We will consider the probability of recovering the money from the officials involved in the irregularities as per the provisions of the Telangana Revenue Recovery Act,” he said.

On L&T, the chief minister said that the company must fulfil its obligation by taking part in the barrage’s salvage, although he did not specifically address recovery from the company.