What Happened When KCR Faced the Ghose Commission?

Hyderabad, June 11 (NationPress) The former Chief Minister of Telangana and president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), K. Chandrasekhar Rao, presented himself before the PC Ghose Commission on Wednesday, which is investigating the alleged irregularities surrounding the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project.

He arrived at BRK Bhavan near the State Secretariat at approximately 11 a.m., walking into the venue alongside several senior party leaders.

Prior to his attendance, KCR left his residence in Erravalli, Siddipet district, traveling in a convoy.

Stringent security measures were enforced at BRK Bhavan as BRS leaders, including KCR’s son and BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, along with supporters, gathered at the nearby MLA Quarters in Adarshnagar to march in solidarity with KCR.

Before KCR's appearance, Rama Rao took to social media, criticizing the Congress government for what he termed political vendetta.

“His story is History. He performed a miracle that eluded us for 60 years! He conducted a democratic campaign fueled by pure passion for Telangana. He fought for a separate state, a vision cherished by millions. He satisfied the water needs of Telangana with Kaleshwaram. One lifetime isn’t sufficient for small minds to grasp the impact of KCR! In a hundred lives, the Congress cannot hope to achieve even a fraction of what KCR has done for Telangana!” KTR expressed in a post.

KCR, who held the position of Chief Minister from 2014 to 2023, is anticipated to be interrogated by the Commission regarding the project's redesign, as well as the policy and financial decisions associated with its development.

The Ghose Commission had issued a summons to KCR on June 5, but he requested to delay his appearance until June 11.

Chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Pinaki Chandra Ghose, the Commission is scrutinizing alleged irregularities in the planning, design, construction, quality control, operation, and maintenance of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla Barrages integral to the Kaleshwaram project.

This one-man Commission was established in March 2024, following the collapse of some piers at the Medigadda Barrage.

BRS leader and former Minister T. Harish Rao testified before the Commission on June 9.

After about 40 minutes of questioning, he informed reporters that he clarified the reasons behind the project's redesign.

Harish Rao explained that the redesign was necessitated by objections raised by Maharashtra and the Central Water Commission (CWC).

He indicated that due to water availability concerns in Thummidihatti, the project site was relocated to Medigadda after a comprehensive survey.

Harish Rao served as the irrigation minister from 2014 to 2018 during the construction of the lift irrigation project across the Godavari River by the previous BRS government.

Following his Commission appearance, Harish Rao had multiple discussions with KCR to update him on his testimony.

Previously, BJP MP and former Minister Eatala Rajender appeared before the Commission on June 6.

Rajender, who was finance minister from 2014 to 2018, distanced himself from the project, asserting that all construction and financial decisions were under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department.

Rajender, who served as health minister during BRS's second term (2018-2023), resigned from the party and joined the BJP in 2021 after KCR dismissed him from the Cabinet over land grabbing allegations.

The Commission's term has been extended seven times since its initial deadline of June 30, 2024.

Notices were sent to KCR, Harish Rao, and Rajender last month after the state government prolonged the Commission's tenure by two additional months, until July 31, to complete examinations of all parties involved.

To date, the Commission has interviewed 115 individuals, including 100 engineers and retired and active officials linked to the barrages and others.