Hyderabad: BJP MP and former minister Eatala Rajendar shared insights with the Justice PC Ghose Commission about the Kaleshwaram project on Friday.
He stated that the construction of the three barrages—Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla—was done following approvals from the CWC and a Technical Committee, based on recommendations by a Cabinet Sub-Committee led by T Harish Rao, the then Irrigation Minister.
Rajendar mentioned that former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao was the mastermind behind the project. He explained that the Maharashtra government opposed the Tummidihatti barrage, which led to the focus on Medigadda.
Before the session began, Rajendar pledged to speak truthfully. During a 40-minute session, he answered various questions from the commission.
He explained that the Cabinet’s decision on Kaleshwaram was based on reports from the sub-committee and technical team. Construction of the barrages began only after the Cabinet’s approval. When Maharashtra objected, a sub-committee was formed by the then CM KCR, chaired by Harish Rao, with Eatala Rajendar and Tummala Nageswara Rao as members. The redesign followed the expert, technical, and sub-committee’s recommendations. The technical committee provided several reports, leading to the Cabinet’s final decision.
Rajendar was unaware of a Rs 59 crore payment to an agency for preparing a DPR. The Cabinet had approved the project, and a corporation was set up to fund its construction. The plan was to borrow funds through the corporation and repay loans, but the corporation couldn’t collect funds. However, it released all project funds, and the Finance Department played no role. The former Finance Minister noted that the irrigation department had the authority to manage borrowing and payments.
