BJP MP Eatal Rajender appeared before the PC Ghose Commission, prepared for the Kaleshwaam project on Friday in Hyderabad. | Photo Credit: Ramakrishna G
BJP MP Eatal Rajender appeared before the PC Ghose Commission, prepared for the Kaleshwaam project on Friday in Hyderabad. | Photo Credit: Ramakrishna G
Hyderabad
BJP Member of Malkajgiri Eatal Rajender, who was a member of the Cabinet in the previous BRS government and held the financial portfolio from June 2014 to December 2018, said his role in the Kaleshwaam project was limited to the release of funds allocated in the budget.
He had nothing to do with deciding on the design of projects and part of the implementation, including quality control, because the irrigation department was responsible for all such technical aspects, said Mr. Rajender for the Inquiry Commission of the PC Ghos when he saved on Friday. The panel was established to probate alleged discrepancies in the construction of three barriers to the Kaleshwaam project.
About the role of loans from a special purpose vehicle (SPV), Kaleshwaram Irrigation Corporation LTD, Rajender told the Commission that as Minister of Finance has nothing to do with loans and release of funds. However, he stated that the acceptance of the project was a collective decision of the cabinet headed by CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao, despite his repeated claims that the project was his brain.
Position aspect
On the site of Medigaddy, Annaram and Removilla Barrages, instead of one in Tummidihatti, Mr. Rajender told the Commission that it was completed on the basis of a report on the Technical Commission and Subcommittee on the Maharashtra and CWC) assessment of smaller water in Tummidihatti.
He said the project was designed with 63,000 GBP crore and up to 82,000 GBPs increased.
Furthermore, Mr. Rajender said that SPV was created due to lack of funds and a detailed report on the project had a proposal to gather money to supply water for drinking and industrial needs. He also submitted an affidavit containing the information he had.
On the specific question of the Commission, whether the construction of Barik lacked financial discipline, Mr. Rajender said that, with the exception of the release of funds from the budget allocation, the financial department either did not know or participated in any aspect. The Commission gathered information from Mr. Rajenser by asking him about 19 questions.
He also explained that all decisions on the project were involved in all decisions on the CM KCR project and then the Minister of irrigation T. Harish Rao. He stated that he asked the Commission to act against those who were responsible for “corruption”.
In an interview with the media, he later demanded that the government to publish all reports on the aspect of corruption and not only use a problem for political interests.
Published – 6 June 2025 20:56
