VIJAYWADA: YSR Congress Party President Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy today alleged Rs 300 crore changed hands in the finalisation of tenders for Pattiseema lift irrigation project, a prestigious scheme of Andhra Pradesh Government.
According to the government, the project will solve water woes of parched Rayalaseema region bringing respite for farmers. Over 3,000 tmc ft of flood water draining into the sea from Godavari River will be diverted to Rayalaseema.
The project, which envisages lifting of Godavari water at Pattiseema in West Godavari district and diverting it to Krishna reservoir at Prakasam barrage, has been awarded to an infrastructure company. Speaking at a gathering, Jagan, who arrived here from West Godavari as part of his bus yatra, alleged Rs 300 crore changed hands in the finalisation of tenders for the project. The YSR Congress chief, however, did not name any company or individual.
The Opposition leader wanted to know why the TDP-led government approved a quotation for Pattiseema that was allegedly 21.9 per cent in excess of the proposed cost and also allowed 5 per cent bonus for early completion of its construction. Jagan said that instead of constructing the multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project, which had been pending for years, the TDP government is showing more interest in Pattiseema lift scheme.
He said though the Centre has accorded national status to Polavaram, the Chandrababu Naidu administration is not eager to complete it as early as possible. A fortnight ago, Parakala Prabhakar, Communications Advisor to Andhra government, had accused the Leader of Opposition of mounting a "misleading" campaign against Pattiseema.