The much awaited enquiry report of Justice PC Ghosh Commission formed on the Kaleshwaram project is almost said to be ready. Official sources say that the commission will submit its report to the government by the end of this month.
It is known that the commission was formed under the leadership of Justice PC Ghosh in the wake of allegations of technical errors, quality defects and corruption in the Kaleshwaram project. The Commission has conducted an extensive examination of various reports, summoned several engineers and also politicians associated with the construction of the project and also sought several clarifications.
After the formation of this commission, a total of 115 people have been questioned so far, including engineering officials, construction companies and those responsible for decisions in the then government, who were involved in the project for a long time. The commission conducted an in-depth study on the construction defects, design, quality standards and financial aspects of the Medigadda, Annaram and Sundilla barrages undertaken as part of this project.
Later, the relevant experts and government officials were cross-examined and their statements were recorded. During the investigation, there was criticism that the Kaleshwaram project was not approved by the cabinet. To confirm this, the commission has also recently brought the minutes of the cabinet decisions.
The commission first received affidavits from the engineers involved in the construction of the project, retired engineers and representatives of the construction companies and based on them, Justice PC Ghosh conducted cross-examination. As part of the investigation, the commission also considered the reports of the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) and the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA).
Along with former Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the commission questioned Etala Rajender, who was the Finance Minister during the construction of the Kaleshwaram project, and Tannir Harish Rao, who served as the Irrigation Minister.
Although during election campaign, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy accused that the Kaleshwaram project involves corruption of Rs 1 lakh crore by KCR’s family and promised after coming to power he would bring back that amount, the Commission’s preview of enquiry was confined to the designs of three specific barrages, constructed as part of the project.