Hyderabad: The Justice P Chandra Ghose Commission, which is investigating the Kaleshwaram project, is likely to summon former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and former Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao. The commission is preparing to begin the final phase of its investigation on November 21.
The commission has already hinted that it will question several top officials, including former secretaries from the irrigation department. This is in connection with the damage to the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages. The commission suspects that KCR and Harish Rao may have been involved in large-scale corruption related to the lift irrigation project. As a result, both leaders from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) will be called in to give their statements before the investigation concludes. The commission has been directed to submit its final report by December 31.
Additionally, the commission will resume its public inquiry involving former secretaries of the State Irrigation Department. Officials such as Rajat Kumar, Vikas Raj, Sk Joshi, Smith Sabarwal, and former Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar will be questioned. The focus will be on the cost estimates, changes to the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), and the poor quality of construction that led to the damage of the barrages last year.
The commission has already gathered a significant amount of information from irrigation officials, which is currently being reviewed. Authorities have submitted affidavits, and the commission is carefully verifying the facts. In cases where there were inconsistencies or conflicting data, the irrigation officials were cross-examined to clarify the details.
