TRS seeks probe into Sripadasagar project

Hyderabad, Mar 9 (UNI) The Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) today demanded the government to order an inquiry into ''inflation'' of the Sripadasagar Project cost to Rs 1,757.18 crore, while the CPI(M) maintained that it should place all documents relating to this as well as Pulichintla project in the House.

Participating in an inconclusive discussion on the project, which led to several adjournments of the Assembly proceedings and suspension of Opposition party members since March two, TRS member Lingaiah alleged the project cost had been inflated by Rs 700 crore.

He also claimed there were irregularities in several other projects in the Telangana region.

CPI(M) member T Veerabhadram charged the government with trying to make former project superintendent engineer a ''scapegoat.'' The engineer had reportedly stated his signature was taken ''forcibly'' on March 19 on the estimate dated March 12 with an Internal Bench Mark value of Rs 1757.18 crore, the MLA said.

The engineer had been asked by his higher-ups ''to modify the value which was arrived after due consultations at a later date,'' he claimed.

Taking objection to the ruling Congress branding the CPI(M) as resorting to mudslinging, he clarified the CPI(M) was not a rival party.

''We are extending support to the Congress-led UPA Government at the Centre. It will be appropriate on the part of the government to accept any mistake that has been committed and correct it,'' he said.

Asked why the government had not taken any action against the engineer for over six months, he claimed the enquiry report showed he had been transferred for other reasons following a complaint from the contractors.

Referring to reports that a sum of Rs 57 crore had been paid in excess in the Pulichintla Project, he demanded the government to place all papers relating to both the projects before the house.

UNI SM HS RN1503