Hyderabad: The Justice Ghose Commission, investigating the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project, is expected to summon former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) and former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao in January. Their statements will be recorded regarding allegations of cost escalation in the project and poor maintenance of the three barrages—Medigadda, Sundilla, and Annaram—that suffered damages due to inadequate operational protocols.
The Commission is currently reviewing affidavits and statements provided by irrigation officials about the damage to the barrages. It has scheduled the final round of questioning for former irrigation secretaries, including ex-Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, Rajat Kumar, and S.K. Joshi, in the third week of December.
According to sources, the Commission is taking extra time to analyze findings from its recent questioning of irrigation officials. The goal is to identify key issues raised during the hearings. Based on these findings, the former irrigation secretaries will be further questioned. These insights will form the basis for summoning the former Chief Minister and Irrigation Minister.
The Commission was originally expected to submit its report to the government by the end of its term on December 31. However, due to pending investigations and the need for further questioning, the final report is now likely to be completed by late January or February. Officials have confirmed that questioning KCR and Harish Rao will be the final step in the investigation into the Kaleshwaram project.
