Ramakanth grilled for second day
HYDERABAD: While the IAS were closeted with the chief minister to protest being used as cannon fodder by politicians, the CBI grilled former chief secretary P Ramakanth Reddy for the second consecutive day Friday.
During a three-hour grilling at the Dilkusha guest house, he was reportedly asked about his role in issuing various government orders during his tenure and whether he was influenced or pressurised to issue them.
He was summoned to the guest house at 10.45 am and was questioned until 1.45 pm. Ramakanth Reddy was questioned for two hours on Thursday.
The investigating agency reportedly questioned the former chief secretary on government orders issued in connection with the Obulapuram mining scam and the Emaar-APIIC deal.
He was also asked queries on government decision on projects as a quid pro quo for which investments were allegedly made in Jagati Publications, owned by Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. It is alleged some favours were done in the Vanpic Port project by the YSR regime. Ramakanth Reddy was the chief secretary when important decisions were taken on these projects by the regime of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. Having retired since then, he was appointed to head the AP State Election Commission. Emerging from the questioning, Ramakanth Reddy told mediapersons that there were no violations in the GOs issued during his tenure. ‘’I issued government orders after obtaining approval from the state cabinet. The CBI asked me whether there was any sort of pressure in issuing the GOs during my tenure,’’ he added.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that CBI has summoned for questioning a few more senior IAS officials who headed various positions during the YSR government.