Hyderabad: T Harish Rao, a senior leader from the BRS and former Irrigation Minister, has provided evidence to support former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao‘s statements to the Justice Ghose Commission about the Kaleshwaram project.
The documents include Cabinet approvals for the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, along with Assembly endorsements. Harish Rao accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and state Irrigation Minister Uttam of spreading false information through presentations on water issues to criticize the past BRS government.
Harish Rao emphasized that they gave the Commission detailed information. Since they are no longer in power, most original documents are with the current government. He requested copies of Cabinet decisions and other records from the Chief Secretary, GAD Secretary, and Irrigation Secretary, but received no reply. He noted that legislative approval is more significant than Cabinet approvals. The documents they provided include six Cabinet approvals and three Assembly endorsements with supporting details.
The former Minister explained that project cost increases were due to higher storage capacities, larger ayacut, increased pumping needs, and land acquisition costs. All changes were technically assessed and approved by the Cabinet.
Harish Rao accused the Congress of betraying Telangana by allowing a 299 TMC water allocation from the Krishna River. He stated that only 28% of Telangana’s 34% water share was used last year. About 65 TMC of Krishna water was sent to Andhra Pradesh as a gesture to Chandrababu Naidu, which could have irrigated 6.5 lakh acres. He questioned the low usage of water and labeled it a failure.
