RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM:The BJP took the TDP to task though the latter is its poll ally on the issue of ‘Polavaram Project and pending bills’, blaming the State Government for the non-release of funds for the project.
Not mincing words, BJP leader Daggubati Puran-deswari said that it was State Government’s fault that the reimbursement of bills pertaining to Polavaram is pending. It had failed to provide explanations on various expenditures incurred on the project as sought by the Central Government, she said.
Speaking to mediapersons here Tuesday, she said that as mentioned in the MoUs pertaining to Polavaram Project and the rules regarding the project works, for making any changes in the project, Polavaram Project Authority should be taken into confidence. When the estimates for the project were changed from Rs 16,000 crore to Rs 32,000 crore, Central Government was not intimated of the same.
“All that the Central Government had asked the State Government was an explanation as to why Polavaram Project Authority was not taken into confidence, but there was no response till date,” she said. Further, the State Government had claimed that Rs 2,300 crore and odd expenditure has been incurred on project till date, but failed to clarify on the queries raised by the Central Government, she said.
“It was mentioned that Rs 953 crore was spent on Pattiseema project. Why is Pattiseema project included in the expenditure on Polavaram works, when it is not part of the design? Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu himself had explained on the floor of the State Assembly that Pattiseema is a temporary project for three years and thereafter the pumps in the project will be used where there is a need. How can an expenditure on the project that is not part of Polavaram be claimed as expenditure incurred on it,” she demanded to know.
Purandeswari said that the Central Government had even sought an explanation in regard to Rs 854 crore which is claimed to have been spent on land acquisition, where it was mentioned that Rs 5 lakh to Rs 42 lakh were compensated for parcels of land acquired. How much land was acquired, from whom, where and under what project, were not mentioned. Further it was claimed that Rs 183 crore was spent for the rehabilitation of farmers, but no mention was made as to how many farmers were rehabilitated and where.
“All that the Centre had asked the State Government was a clarification on the claims of expenditure incurred on the project. When the State Government provides the details sought and clarifies, the bills submitted would be reimbursed,” she said.