Lite byte: Kaleswaram under ED scanner, Ghose report and ACB cases now fuel wider probe
Speculation is swirling in bureaucratic and political circles over the Enforcement Directorate (ED) preparing to probe the alleged irregularities in the Kaleswaram project. This comes even as the Justice PC Ghose Commission prepares to submit its long-awaited inquiry report. Adding to the anxiety, senior engineers and IAS officers are increasingly worried about the ED stepping into the disproportionate assets cases involving the former ENC and other engineers, which are already under investigation by the ACB. With the ED likely to look into the FIRs and the commission's findings, many are bracing for summons. Both politicians and babus are said to be on edge.
Calendar clash amid family feud
BRS MLC K Kavitha recently launched a new initiative in Kompally titled 'Leader', a training programme aimed at mentoring young Jagruthi activists. On the very same day, the BRS leadership, led by her brother and party working president KT Rama Rao, held a meeting in Uppal to reactivate the party's student wing, BRSV.
BRS insiders see it as more than just a calendar clash. They say it's not merely a scheduling coincidence but a sign of strategic manoeuvring among key members of the party's first family.
Taking matters to the sixth floor
A district in-charge minister recently met officials to review the progress of various works in the region. Nothing unusual about that, except for the venue. Typically, in-charge ministers hold such meetings at the respective district headquarters. Sometimes, they use their own chambers at the Secretariat. But choosing the CMO conference hall on the sixth floor of the Secretariat? That's not something officials see every day. Some called it 'unprecedented', others 'unconventional', but either way, the minister's move might have set a new precedent.
Inputs: Ireddy Srinivas Reddy, Manda Ravinder Reddy
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
33 minutes ago
- Hans India
BRS braces for battle with PPTs to rebut Ghose Commission's report
Hyderabad: The BRS leaders would be giving a powerpoint presentation on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project in a counter to the report by the PC Ghose Commission. To begin with, Harish Rao would be giving a presentation at Telangana Bhavan on Tuesday, which would be telecast in the district party offices. According to party sources, during the recent meetings at the farmhouse, the BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao has asked the senior leader T Harish Rao to prepare a counter report to the PC Ghose Commissions report so that the people can be made aware of the BRS side of the story. A senior leader of the party said that there were several rounds of meetings in KCR's farm house even before the Commission could give its report. The party leaders discussed how to move forward as it was expected that the report would be in favour of the government. The party chief wanted the leaders to explain to people about the positive impact the report has created in Telangana including the huge production of food grains including paddy, said the BRS leader. Party leaders said that the leaders in districts have been asked to present in the district offices and witness the powerpoint presentation being given in Telangana Bhavan on Tuesday. The BRS chief wanted to clear the air on the misinformation carried out against an engineering marvel like Kaleshwaram. The party leaders will insist on the fact that not the entire project but only two pillars were damaged. The Kaleshwaram project is not just Medigadda, it has three barrages (Medigadda, Annaram, Sundilla), 15 reservoirs, 21 pump houses, 19 substations, 203 km of tunnel, 141 tmcft of storage capacity and 240 tmcft of water utilization, said the BRS leader. Sources said that the BRS chief wanted the party leaders to go to the people and explain to them that the people in the government were trying to divert their attention from the serious issues and put the blame on BRS chief KCR. The BRS chief said in the meeting that the Congress party will be using this report for their advantage in the upcoming local body elections hence the report was released at this juncture. The party leaders also said that the party should focus on the bypolls which were inevitable with the Supreme Court's orders. Sources also said that the party may challenge the report of the Commission in the Court.
Hans India
33 minutes ago
- Hans India
Kaleshwaram report trimmed down to sully KCR's image, says Niranjan
Hyderabad: Stating that the 665-page Kaleshwaram report was shortened only to defame BRS President K Chandrashekar Rao, party's senior leader S Niranjan Reddy on Monday said that the Kaleshwaram report can be challenged in the court. Addressing a press conference here at Telangana Bhavan, Niranjan Reddy said that Kaleswaram was constructed to quench the thirst of Telangana. It is ridiculous for Congress to talk about changing the site. The Congress party has a history of permanently betraying Telangana by changing the site of Nagarjuna Sagar with malicious intent and malice. Because of the Congress' sin, water was cut off from the Telangana region. The retired engineers' forum has submitted a report on why the site was changed. No matter how much mud is thrown by blocking the media, the truth will be before the people in the future, said Niranjan Reddy. The BRS leader said that no permissions were given for any reservoirs constructed in undivided Andhra Pradesh state during the rule of Chandrababu Naidu and YS Rajashekhara Reddy. They are spewing poison on Kaleswaram, which was built with all the permits. They were unable to bear to see Telangana which is turning green. Every person in Telangana knows Chandrababu Naidu has raised objections to the project and lodged complaints, said Reddy alleging a section of the media was constantly trying to portray Telangana's successes as failures. The BRS leader asked why the Ghosh Commission report was not disclosed as it is. It should also be known that the report given by the Commission is not final and can be taken to court, as stated in the Commission of Inquiries Act. The 665-page Ghosh Commission report was being shortened to 60 pages to blame KCR. Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy was working by begging the media. Telangana society has been struggling for water for four decades. He alleged that the Congress party did great injustice to Telangana. The former minister said that out of 85 pillars in Medigadda, two were partially damaged and there were 66 pillars in Annaram and 74 in Sundilla. Except for three, all the others fine? The remaining pumping stations, the rest were fine, right? Why did the construction company come forward and say that they will repair it and bear the cost of Rs. 400 crore, he asked. He further asked why the government was releasing the report of the officials instead of releasing the Ghose Commission report. BRS leaders Ch Rakesh Kumar and Abhilash Rangineni were also present.
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Free bus travel for women, transgenders from Aug 15
Vijayawada: The state government's 'Super Six' guarantee of free bus travel for women will be implemented starting August 15, announced transport minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy. Speaking to the press on Monday at the Secretariat, the minister said that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure a flawless implementation of the scheme. He revealed that a team of three ministers had visited Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana to study how these states have implemented similar schemes. A comprehensive report from this team has been submitted to the government. The minister confirmed that the scheme is set to be approved in the upcoming cabinet meeting on August 6. Referring to the scheme details that the minister said that all women and transgender individuals from the state of Andhra Pradesh are eligible for free travel. The scheme will cover travel on Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, City Ordinary, Express, and Metro Express buses. Passengers will be required to show an Aadhaar card, voter ID card, or ration card as proof of identity. The scheme will be implemented on 74 per cent of the state's buses, which amounts to approximately 6,700 vehicles. The minister stated that the estimated annual expenditure for the scheme is around Rs 1,950 crore. He also announced plans to procure an additional 3,000 electric buses this year, with another 1,400 to be added over the next two years. To meet the increased demand, the government will also recruit more drivers and mechanics.
