Hyderabad: On Friday, the Forum for Good Governance (FGG) urged Governor Jishnu Dev Varma to investigate the spending on the inauguration of the unfinished Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme and related publicity costs during 2023-24.
The FGG wants action against those misusing taxpayer money for political purposes. FGG President M Padmanabha Reddy stated that the irrigation project, aimed at providing drinking water and irrigation in Southern Telangana, began in June 2015. It was initially estimated at Rs 32,000 crore and planned to finish by mid-2019.
The project commenced without necessary central approvals. The National Green Tribunal fined the Telangana Government Rs 920 crore for bypassing environmental clearances, noting a pattern of ignoring such requirements under the guise of public interest.
Andhra Pradesh challenged the project in the Supreme Court, alleging excess water usage. Allegations of corruption surfaced during construction, and multiple compensation-related cases reached the High Court.
By November 2023, Rs 30,000 crore had been spent, completing 70% of the project. Due to delays, the Chief Engineer proposed increasing the budget to Rs 50,000 crore.
Despite these issues, the project was inaugurated twice in mid-September 2023 at Narlapoor and Kollapur, just weeks before Assembly elections. Over Rs 22.13 crore was spent on advertising these events.
The FGG criticized this spending on an incomplete project still embroiled in court cases, viewing it as a misuse of power and public funds for political advantage.
