HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy will soon meet the CBI director to press for a probe into alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
At a Cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister at the Secretariat on Thursday, ministers reviewed the Wednesday’s order of the Telangana High Court and discussed steps to push for a CBI inquiry. The Advocate General briefed the Cabinet on the ruling and outlined a legal course of action.
Briefing the media on the Cabinet decisions alongside ministers Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy and Vakiti Srihari, Uttam said the decision had been taken for both him and the chief minister to meet the CBI director.
He said the state had urged the CBI to initiate an investigation based on findings of the NDSA, Vigilance and the CAG, but no action had followed despite nine months having passed.
Explaining the high court ruling on the Justice PC Ghose Commission, Uttam said that the order was not in favour of former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, T Harish Rao and others. He said: “They challenged the appointment of the Commission, stating that the government had not followed the provisions of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. But the high court has made it clear that the constitution of the Commission was not illegal and is not arbitrary. They also sought to revoke the Commission’s report, which the court rejected. With this, the report remains in existence. Only on small technical grounds did the high court direct the government not to take action based on this report. Nowhere in the order did the court say they are not guilty.”
KLIS issue: tg may move Supreme Court
The chief minister has asked Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Uttam and Sridhar Babu to consult senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi on the ruling. The Cabinet sub-committee will examine whether to approach the Supreme Court or extend the Commission’s tenure.
Uttam alleged that soil tests were not conducted for the project and that tenders were invited before clearance from the CWC, leading to expenditure of thousands of crores. He said the NDSA had found the foundations of the three barrages to be suspect.
Retirement benefit dues within 100 days
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also decided to clear retirement benefit dues of retired employees within 100 days. The ministers suggested that, if required, 50% of their salaries and those of public representatives could be allocated for this purpose. The Resource Mobilisation Sub-Committee was asked to immediately consult employee unions, teachers’ associations, retired employees’ organisations and other stakeholders.
Srinivasa Reddy said: “The previous government, which was in power for 10 years, left bills worth thousands of crores pending for employees. At the time of Telangana formation, there were no dues pending. Due to the increase in retirement age and the failure to provide retirement benefits, retired employees, pensioners and their families are facing difficulties. The Cabinet expressed serious concern over this issue. It decided to take immediate steps to ensure that retired employees do not have to run around offices and the Secretariat for their dues. There are pending dues of 6,200 crore for regular employees and8,000 crore for retired employees. Although the current financial situation does not allow immediate payment, the Cabinet decided to explore all alternative avenues and mobilise necessary funds.” The sub-committee on resource mobilisation will prepare an action plan for discussion at the next Cabinet meeting on May 4.
Other decisions
Approval for nomination-based governing bodies for Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) where tenure has expired
Approval to develop Gachibowli Stadium under a PPP model. Of 76 acres, 64 acres will be developed for 21 sports disciplines, with outdoor stadium capacity raised from 20,000 to 50,000. Plans include expansion of the swimming pool, a Sports University, and athlete accommodation and training facilities. The remaining 12 acres will be used for commercial activity to support maintenance and programmes
Nod to complete land acquisition for the Chinna Kaleshwaram project, which will benefit about 45,000 acres across 63 villages in Mahadevpur, Kataram, Malhar Rao and Mahamutharam mandals. Of the required 2,427 acres, 1,020 acres have been acquired. The Cabinet approved Rs 166.67 crore for the remaining land
Integrated Aqua Park to be set up near the Sripada Yellampalli Project at Hajipur, with 85.10 acres of Irrigation land to be allocated to the Fisheries department