Minister asks Chiru to acquaint with facts on projects

Hyderabad, Nov 15 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Minister P Lakshmaiah today asked Praja Rajyam Party President Chiranjeevi to first ascertain the facts before levelling corruption charges against the massive irrigation initiative of the Congress Government.

Talking to reporters here, he said the actor's view that new projects were unnecessary amounted to ''betraying'' people's interest.

The Minister, who sent a 33-page rejoinder to the PRP founder, said ''let him (Chiranjeevi) first acquaint himself about the various projects. I am ready to take him to any of the project sites of his choice to remove his misgivings.'' Mr Chiranjeevi lacked awareness about the role of constitutional bodies like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and the Lok Ayukta, he claimed.

While the Lok Ayukta had not submitted any report to the Government in connection with any of the projects, the CAG, which periodically audits government spending, was provided with necessary clarification by the State Government on questions raised by it in connection with the irrigation projects, he said.

UNI SM ROY ARB KN1918