PNS|Hyderabad
In a significant development in the ongoing inquiry into irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project, BJP MP and former finance minister Etela Rajender appeared before the PC Ghose Commission on Friday and submitted his statement under oath. As the 113th witness before the Commission, Etela responded to 19 detailed questions during a 40-minute open-court session.
Etela began his deposition by affirming, “I will speak only the truth,” following which the Commission proceeded with its questioning regarding key decisions on the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, the formation of Kaleshwaram Corporation, and related DPR approvals. To a direct question on who ordered the construction of the three barrages, Etela replied that the decision was taken by the State Cabinet. “Only after Cabinet clearance, the construction began,” he said. On redesigning the project, he stated that it was initiated after objections from the Maharashtra government. “Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao formed a sub-committee chaired by Harish Rao, with me and Tummala Nageswara Rao as members. Based on expert and technical committees, the project was redesigned,” he explained.
Etela confirmed that the sub-committee formally signed off on the redesign, and clarified that final decisions were always ratified in Cabinet. When asked about technical reports suggesting the location of the barrages was unsuitable, Etela noted that several reports were considered but the Cabinet took the final call.
Regarding the DPR, he claimed ignorance about whether Rs. 597.45 lakh was paid to WAPCOS for it, but insisted all necessary approvals, including for the DPR, were taken in the Cabinet. When asked about the purpose of setting up the Kaleshwaram Corporation, Etela said it was created for raising and managing funds through loans. “It functioned outside the purview of the Finance Department. Fund collection and repayment of loans were its responsibility,” he clarified.
He admitted, however, that expected fund collection through the Corporation did not materialise. On whether the project was financed off-budget, Etela stated that all fund disbursal happened through the Corporation and not the Finance Department.
When asked about the suitability of the barrage locations, Etela said, “Only technical teams decide where to build a barrage.” On questions about financial discipline during the project’s execution, he replied, “That falls under the Irrigation Department, not Finance.”
The former minister’s deposition is being closely scrutinised as the Commission delves into large-scale financial, administrative, and engineering decisions taken during the Kaleshwaram project’s execution under the BRS regime.
