MLC Kodandaram Appears Before Kaleshwaram Commission

TJS president and MLC Kodandaram today appeared before the Justice P C Ghose Commission appointed to investigate the Kaleswaram lift irrigation project "scam".

Speaking with the media on the occasion, he said that he had presented the shortcomings in the design of the project and violations of rules before the commission.

He also said that former CM K Chandrashekar Rao also needed to appear for the inquiry into the project.

The MLC said that the project didn't help water supply, but contributed to the accrual of debts to the State. He explained that extensive studies had been conducted on the Godavari river waters before the final phase of the separate Telangana movement. The Pranahita-Chevella project was designed by several engineers and was intended to provide water to Telangana at a low cost, and even engineers had opposed the Kaleswaram project, he said.

"The project was never even needed in the first place. Many experts have called the Kaleswaram project a useless endeavour. And it doesn't even work now. The BRS leaders claim to have built the project, but shouldn't it be working? The CWC itself has concluded that the Medigadda project is not useful. And the CAG has made it clear that many norms had been flouted in the Kaleswaram project," he said.

Reacting to the allegations of corruption in the Formula E race held last year, Kodandaram criticized BRS working president K T Rama Rao for "misusing" public money for the race. He said that it was inappropriate to make such a decision without Cabinet approval, and called for action against KTR.

Kodandaram also responded to the criticism regarding his purchase of a new Toyota Innova Crysta costing about Rs 30 lakh. "My existing car has been used extensively. It became necessary for me to buy a new one. After becoming an MLC, I bought a new car with the loan that I am entitled to," he said.