KCR, Harish Rao, Etela Rajender issued notices in Kaleshwaram project probe

Hyderabad: The Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, which is probing the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, has issued notices to former Telangana Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao, and BJP MP and former Finance Minister Etela Rajender. The three leaders have been asked to appear before the Commission within 15 days. As per the notices, KCR has been directed to appear on June 5, Harish Rao on June 6, and Etela Rajender on June 9.

The Commission was set up in March 2024 after structural issues were reported in the Medigadda barrage. It is also examining the Annaram and Sundilla barrages, which are part of the same project. Headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice P.C. Ghose, the Commission is looking into various aspects including design, construction quality, maintenance, financial approvals, and the role of different departments.

Officials from the irrigation, finance, and other related departments, along with representatives from construction firms involved in the project, have already been questioned. The Commission’s term, which has been extended seven times so far, is currently scheduled to end this month. It is expected to submit its final report to the state government on May 21 or 22.

Sources said several senior engineers and department officials have stated during the inquiry that major decisions related to the project were taken in the presence of the then Chief Minister and implemented under his instructions. Following these statements, the Commission decided to summon KCR, Harish Rao, and Etela Rajender to seek their responses.