BJP MP Etela Rajender to appear before Kaleshwaram Inquiry Commission today

Hyderabad: Former Minister and BJP MP Etela Rajender will appear before the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission today, June 6, 2025, as part of the ongoing inquiry into the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. He is scheduled to reach the Commission's office at Burgula Ramakrishna Rao Bhavan (BRKR Bhavan) by 11 a.m.

Rajender, who served as Finance Minister during the construction of the Kaleshwaram barrages, was also a member of key government committees at the time. The Commission is expected to question him on financial approvals and decisions taken during his tenure. A detailed questionnaire has already been prepared.

The inquiry, now in its final stages, was launched in March 2024 following structural issues reported in the Medigadda barrage. The Commission is also examining the Annaram and Sundilla barrages, all part of the same project.

Former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao is set to appear before the Commission on June 9, followed by former Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) on June 11. KCR’s appearance was initially scheduled for June 5 but was rescheduled following his request.

The Commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice P.C. Ghose, is investigating aspects of the project including design, construction quality, financial decisions, and departmental coordination. It has already questioned officials from the irrigation, finance, and other departments, along with representatives from the construction firms involved.

Sources indicate that several senior engineers and department officials testified that major decisions were made in the presence of the then Chief Minister and implemented under his direction. Based on these testimonies, the Commission issued notices to KCR, Harish Rao, and Etela Rajender, asking them to appear within 15 days.

The Commission's term, extended seven times so far, is set to end this month. Its final report is expected to be submitted to the state government by the end of June.