Kaleshwaram project probe: Telangana CM to meet CBI director after High Court order

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy plan to meet the CBI director to seek a probe into alleged Kaleshwaram project irregularities. After the Telangana High Court ordered no action based on the PC Ghose Commission findings, the state will weigh a Supreme Court appeal or extending the Commission.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said they would soon meet the CBI director. The ministers said they would press for a probe into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram irrigation project. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the meeting would include handing over key reports linked to the project.

Speaking after a state cabinet meeting on Thursday night, N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government would not act on its own. The decision followed findings in multiple reports and a recent court order. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and other ministers would join discussions on next steps.

CBI probe into Kaleshwaram irrigation project

N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Chief Minister and N Uttam Kumar Reddy would meet the CBI director and submit reports. These include the PC Ghose Commission report, National Dam Safety Authoritty NDSA inputs, CAG observations, and the state Vigilance and Enquiry wing report. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said nine months had passed since the referral.

N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government wanted progress on the three barrages of Kaleshwaram. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said, "We took another decision today. Chief Minister and myself will meet CBI director very soon and hand over these reports.\" N Uttam Kumar Reddy added, \"We will meet CBI director to urge to move ahead with the probe in the matter of the three barrages of Kaleshwaram as public amount has been embezzled,\"

N Uttam Kumar Reddy said it was unclear why the CBI was not moving ahead. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the delay was visible, but no further details were given. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said, \"It can be understood why the CBI is not moving forward,\" The minister said the government preferred an agency-led probe over action based only on the commission’s findings.

Telangana High Court order on Kaleshwaram irrigation project

The Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed that no action be taken against BRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao and three others. The direction related to findings of the PC Ghose Commission. The commission had examined alleged irregularities in executing the Kaleshwaram irrigation project during the previous BRS regime.

N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the government would decide its legal response after consultations. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said ministers would meet senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi to plan the next course. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said, \"It would be decided whether to approach the Supreme Court or extend the Commission on the issue following the HCs order,\"

N Uttam Kumar Reddy criticised the BRS for celebrating the High Court order. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the petitioners had sought to set aside the commission report. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the court did not accept that request. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the report would remain as it is despite the no-action direction.

N Uttam Kumar Reddy said repairs would be taken up for damaged barrages. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said experts from India and abroad would be brought in. N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the material relevant to the three barrages was being sent for investigation. The minister linked the repair plan to safety concerns and public spending.

Retired employees’ dues linked to Kaleshwaram irrigation project cabinet decisions

State Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said around Rs 6,000 crores in dues to retired government employees were still pending. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said the government had been releasing funds, yet the backlog remained. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said the unpaid amount built up over the last 10 years under BRS rule.

Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said cabinet ministers and other public representatives would give up part of pay. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said they decided to forgo 50 per cent of their salaries. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said the saved amount would support payment of retirement benefits. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said a cabinet sub-committee on resources would draft proposals.

The cabinet sub-committee on resources would submit proposals by the next cabinet meeting on May 4. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said the aim was to clear pending retired employee dues in about 100 days. The government did not provide a detailed payment schedule at the briefing. Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy said the plan would be finalised after resource estimates.

Gachibowli stadium PPP plan and Kaleshwaram irrigation project cabinet agenda

The cabinet also decided to improve the stadium at Gachibowli in PPP mode. An official release said facilities would be developed for 21 sports. The work would use 64 of the 76 acres available. The release said the outdoor stadium capacity would rise to 50,000 from 20,000 after upgrades.

The official release said 12 acres would be used for commercial activities. It said the revenue would be used for sports development. Ministers linked the stadium decision to broader resource planning discussed in the cabinet meeting. The government said the Kaleshwaram irrigation project issues, retired staff dues, and sports facilities were reviewed in the same sitting.

With inputs from PTI