Harish Rao Tears Into Govt Over Kaleshwaram Report

Siddipet MLA and former minister T Harish Rao today launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in the Assembly during the discussion on the P C Ghose Kaleshwaram project report.

Accusing the government of indulging in dirty politics, Rao said that it held an Assembly session on a Sunday just to present the Commission's report before a stay could be granted by the Supreme Court.

"Even the Chief Minister knows that rules and procedures have not been followed in preparing the report. That is why he filed a caveat in the Supreme Court. It is likely to come up for hearing tomorrow. If a stay is granted, the report will be quashed. Presenting the report on a Sunday only exposes your conspiracy. The sequence is clear: a preliminary report before the Assembly elections, an interim report before the Parliament elections, a final report during silver jubilee celebrations, and now, with Panchayat election notifications due, you present the P C Ghose report. All these are nothing but political dramas. Are you running a government or a circus?" he asked.

"We went to court saying that the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, rules were not followed by the Commission. That is a right given by the Constitution. Former PM Indira Gandhi and BJP leader L K Advani also approached the courts in similar cases. If Indira Gandhi goes to court, is it right, but if we go, it is wrong? If Advani goes, it is okay, but if we do, it is not? This matter is in court. The government itself has said that it would file a counter-affidavit within three weeks," he added.

Calling the Commission's report a scrap of paper, Rao insisted that the more fundamental issue was whether the inquiry had been conducted legally and in accordance with the principles of natural justice and democracy. "Was the P C Ghose Commission inquiry conducted in line with the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952? If not, then it has no value. The Supreme Court and various High Courts have repeatedly held that such reports are not worth more than scraps of paper," he said.

Rao also told the House that notices under Section 8B of the Act needed to be issued to all those affected by the inquiry. "The Act gives clear rights and protections to any citizen, officer or leader facing such inquiries. Section 5 empowers the Commission to call witnesses. At the same time, those whose reputation is at stake must be issued notices under Section 8B to allow them to present counter arguments. Sections 8B and 8C guarantee this protection, and they must be read and followed," he concluded.