Probe panel holds KCR responsible for Kaleshwaram project irregularities: Sources
The Commission's report states that key planning and decision-making processes were dominated solely by Rao and then Irrigation minister and KCR's nephew T Harish Rao, without approval from the cabinet. A crucial expert report opposing the viability of the Medigadda barrage was allegedly suppressed, and site changes were pushed through with misleading justifications and a lack of transparency.The report finds that the contracts were awarded on a lump sum basis, bypassing the Central Water Commission's recommendation for turnkey contracts. Subsequent revised administrative approvals (RAA I and II) led to a drastic and unjustified increase in costs. The Commission notes that completion certificates were issued despite incomplete and defective work, and that there was collusion between contractors and government officials, leading to massive losses to the public exchequer.Severe lapses in operation and maintenance were also highlighted. The Commission found that there were no inspections or safety checks and that water was impounded continuously in violation of engineering norms, contributing to the structural distress seen at Medigadda. The project also used unsafe permeable foundations for water storage and ignored geotechnical study requirements, with quality checks allegedly manipulated.In addition to KCR, the Commission has named several other key officials. The then Irrigation minister T Harish Rao has been held responsible for suppressing expert advice, and then Finance Minister Eatala Rajender has been criticised for failing to ensure financial oversight. Senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers and engineers were found to have suppressed facts, submitted false evidence, and failed in their duties related to safety and maintenance.The report recommends strong legal action against those involved and recovery of misused public funds. The Justice PC Ghose Commission concluded that the failures were not incidental but stemmed from deliberate decisions that violated government business rules and disregarded expert warnings, resulting in enormous financial and structural damage.On 11 June, KCR had appeared before Justice PC Ghose Commission in connection with the investigation into the alleged irregularities in the project.- EndsMust Watch
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