Kaleshwaram Project Report in Assembly
Ghose Commission Report on Kaleshwaram Project to Dominate Telangana Assembly Session
Introduction
The upcoming Telangana Assembly session, scheduled to begin on August 30, 2024, is expected to witness intense debates and political clashes as several pressing issues come to the forefront. At the heart of the discussions will be the much-awaited Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) — a massive multi-purpose irrigation initiative on the Godavari River that has been under scrutiny due to alleged irregularities and structural damages.
In addition to the Kaleshwaram issue, other key matters such as the shortage of urea for farmers, the damage caused by recent heavy rains, and the pending BC quota in local body elections are also set to dominate proceedings. Governor Jishnu Dev Varma has officially summoned the Assembly and Legislative Council to convene at 10:30 AM on August 30, setting the stage for what promises to be a politically charged session.
Ghose Commission Report and Its Importance
The Telangana government had earlier appointed a judicial commission headed by Justice Ghose to probe alleged irregularities in the construction and functioning of the Kaleshwaram project. The commission, after months of investigation, held former Chief Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) president K. Chandrasekhar Rao “directly and vicariously” accountable for the lapses and irregularities in the project.
The state cabinet, in its meeting on August 4, 2024, formally accepted the findings of the commission. Following this, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy announced that the government would place the report before the Assembly for a thorough debate before deciding on the next course of action.
The Kaleshwaram issue is significant not only because of its financial and infrastructural magnitude but also because it was one of the major talking points during the 2023 Assembly elections, where allegations of corruption and mismanagement became a central political weapon for the opposition.
Revanth Reddy’s Stand
CM Revanth Reddy has made it clear that his government will not let the matter slide without accountability. He has accused the previous BRS government of pushing the state into financial strain through alleged mismanagement of public funds in the Kaleshwaram project. According to him, the Assembly will hold an open and transparent debate on the Ghose Commission’s report, ensuring that the people of Telangana are informed about the truth behind the multi-crore irrigation project.
He also stressed that any future course of action — whether legal, administrative, or financial — would be decided only after a thorough review in the Assembly.
Harish Rao and BRS’s Counterattack
BRS leader and MLA T. Harish Rao, who served as the former irrigation minister, has strongly criticized the release of a 60-page summary of the commission’s findings. He described the summary as “false, misleading, and politically motivated”, accusing the Congress government of twisting facts for political gain.
According to Harish Rao, the Kaleshwaram project was conceived and executed with the intention of providing irrigation, drinking water, and industrial support to Telangana, and any attempt to malign it is a direct attack on the state’s development. He also alleged that the Congress government is trying to deflect attention from its own governance failures by targeting the previous regime.
The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project: A Brief Background
The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) is one of the largest multi-purpose irrigation projects in India. Built on the Godavari River in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, it was envisioned as a game-changer for Telangana’s irrigation needs.
The project aimed to provide irrigation water to over 18 lakh acres of farmland, supply drinking water to urban and rural areas, and cater to the needs of industries. With multiple barrages, reservoirs, and pumping stations, KLIP was showcased as a symbol of Telangana’s ambition for self-reliance in water management.
However, reports of structural damages, flooding issues, and operational inefficiencies soon emerged, casting doubts on the quality of construction and long-term sustainability of the project. These concerns gained momentum after visible damages were reported in some barrages, fueling allegations of corruption and irregularities.
Damages and Election Impact
The damages sustained by certain barrages of KLIP, especially during monsoons, became a major issue during the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections. Opposition parties accused the BRS government of cutting corners in construction to inflate project costs, thereby causing huge losses to the state exchequer.
The Congress party, then in opposition, used the issue aggressively during its campaign, promising to hold those responsible accountable. The Ghose Commission report has now become the central piece of evidence in this ongoing political and administrative battle.
Urea Shortage Crisis
Apart from Kaleshwaram, the Assembly session is also expected to witness heated debates on the shortage of urea in Telangana. Farmers across the state have staged protests in several districts, demanding immediate supply of fertilizers during the ongoing agricultural season.
The shortage has reportedly led to farmers struggling with sowing and crop maintenance, causing widespread distress. Opposition parties are likely to corner the government on this issue, questioning its preparedness to handle agricultural needs during peak cultivation time.
The ruling Congress government, however, has pointed fingers at the BJP-led Centre, alleging delays in fertilizer allotment to Telangana. This issue is expected to further escalate the political battle between the state and the Centre.
Damage from Heavy Rains
Another key issue likely to dominate discussions is the impact of heavy rains that began on August 27, 2024. The torrential downpour led to flooding in low-lying areas, inundation of agricultural fields, and severe damage to standing crops.
Several villages have faced difficulties due to waterlogging, while urban areas like Hyderabad also reported disruptions. Opposition parties are expected to demand immediate relief measures and compensation for farmers, while the government will be pressed to outline its disaster management strategy.
BC Quota in Local Body Elections
The question of Backward Classes (BC) reservation in Telangana’s local body polls is another contentious issue pending before the Assembly. The state legislature had earlier passed two Bills to provide a 42% quota for BCs in local bodies, education, and employment. However, these bills are still awaiting Presidential assent.
CM Revanth Reddy recently led a protest in New Delhi, demanding that the Centre clear these Bills without delay. He alleged that the BJP-led Union government is deliberately stalling them, thereby denying BC communities their rightful representation.
This matter is expected to resurface in the Assembly, with the government reiterating its commitment to ensuring social justice while opposition parties may attempt to corner it on procedural delays.
Political Significance of the Session
The Assembly session beginning August 30 is crucial for both the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS. For the Congress government, it presents an opportunity to showcase its commitment to transparency and accountability, especially on the Kaleshwaram issue. For BRS, it is a chance to defend its flagship project and question the credibility of the Ghose Commission.
The session also gives the BJP an opening to target both the Congress and BRS, positioning itself as a potential alternative by highlighting issues such as urea shortages and flood mismanagement.
Possible Outcomes
The debates on the Ghose Commission report could lead to the formation of special committees, legal actions, or even demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Kaleshwaram project. On the other issues, the government may announce relief packages for farmers affected by rains, press for faster urea supply, and continue lobbying for Presidential assent on BC reservations.
The outcomes of this session will not only shape Telangana’s immediate governance but could also have significant political ramifications as the state heads into local body elections in the near future.
Conclusion
As the Telangana Assembly session begins on August 30, 2024, all eyes will be on the heated debates surrounding the Ghose Commission’s findings on the Kaleshwaram project. Alongside, the issues of fertilizer shortages, flood damages, and BC reservations will add further weight to the proceedings.
The session is expected to be a defining moment in Telangana’s political discourse, pitting accountability against defense, and development promises against ground realities. For the people of Telangana, especially farmers and marginalized communities, the outcomes will have a direct bearing on their lives, making this session one of the most crucial in recent memory.