House Committee to probe sanctions given by TDP to hotels

Hyderabad, Mar 9 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister J Geeta Reddy today agreed to order a House Committee probe into sanctions accorded to Jalavihar project and Eat Street on the banks of the Hussain Sagar Lake during the erstwhile TDP regime, as demanded by a Congress member.

Replying to a question by P Janardhana Reddy (Cong) during the Question Hour, she said the previous TDP government had given permission for the Jalavihar project in 2000 and the Eat Street in 2002. She said the Excise Department had given permission for the establishment of a bar in Eat Street in June 2006.

The member earlier alleged that both the projects were given to those close to the TDP leaders and the Eat Street was owned by the TDP MP Prabhakara Reddy.

Stating that all rules and norms were violated while according the sanctions, Mr Prabhakar Reddy said as bar licence was given, drunkards were harassing and teasing women coming to relax by the side of the picturesque lake. He also said that waste food was being dumped into the lake, polluting the waters that were already contaminated.

The member also said that following a Public Interest Litigation, the Supreme Court had appointed a committee to go into the matter, which recommended re-location of Jalavihar and Eat Street and restoration of the land occupied by them to the water body.

Admitting that the government had received the report, the minister said the report said either both should be re-located or water tolerant trees should be planted.

The report was under the examination of the officers, she said and assured the member that whatever be the direction of the Supreme Court, the state government was bound to obey.

Responding to the demand of the member for appointment of a House Committee, the minister said a House Committee was already probing into sanction of licenses to the Imax Theatre at the same location and she would refer this matter also to it.

UNI JRK ROY VD RN1621