Hyderabad: On Sunday, a fiery debate erupted in the Assembly over the Justice PC Ghose Commission’s report on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. During the discussion, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy criticized the BRS government for redesigning the project to allegedly embezzle funds, raising concerns about escalating costs. Minister Jupalli Krishna Rao questioned the advantage of Medigadda over Thummadi Hatti, noting the lack of tributaries feeding into the Godavari River.
BRS MLA T Harish Rao countered these claims by referencing the CWC report, which explains the origin of 248 TMCs of water near Medigadda. He highlighted that the distance from Tummidihetti to Medigadda is 116 km, with 16 streams originating in Maharashtra. Harish Rao emphasized that experts found it impractical to lift water directly from Medigadda to Mid Manair, gaining applause from party members.
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy accused the Opposition of mocking the destruction of a project worth lakhs of crores. He argued that moving from Tummidi Hatti to Medigadda was a scheme to misappropriate funds, dismissing claims of engineer reports mentioned by Harish Rao. Uttam labeled the construction near Medigadda as a “clear conspiracy.”
Amidst the chaos, Harish Rao questioned why the Ghosh Commission ignored expert recommendations, dubbing it the “PCC Commission report.” He reminded the Assembly that Congress initially called for tenders for Pranahita Chevella in 2007-08 and submitted the DPR in 2010. He asked how permissions could be granted if the DPR was flawed.
BRS leaders accused Congress of stifling their voices during the discussion on the PC Ghose Commission. Protesting against what they called Congress’s authoritarian approach, BRS MLAs staged a walkout from the Assembly, marching to Gun Park.
