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KTR Accuses CM of Multi Crore Scam
KTR Accuses Telangana CM of Multi-Crore Contract Scam
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president and former IT minister, KT Rama Rao (KTR), has raised fresh allegations against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. In a media address, KTR accused the chief minister and his associates of being involved in a massive scam involving the Union government’s Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 scheme, which aims to provide tap water to all households in urban areas. According to KTR, the CM’s family has benefited financially through dubious contracts worth Rs 1,137 crore under this scheme.
Allegations of Irregularities in Tender Process
KTR claimed that the entire tendering process related to the AMRUT 2.0 scheme in Telangana was riddled with irregularities. He accused Revanth Reddy of pressuring municipal officials to ensure that these high-value contracts were awarded to companies closely linked to his family. One of the major companies under scrutiny is Shodha Infrastructure Limited, allegedly owned by Soodhini Srujan Reddy, the chief minister’s brother-in-law.
According to KTR, Shodha Infrastructure received a contract worth Rs 1,137 crore, despite the company having minimal qualifications and a capital of only Rs 2 crore. KTR pointed out that the company’s only real qualification appeared to be its close family connection to the chief minister. He emphasized that such practices raise serious concerns about the integrity of the tendering process.
Manipulation of Joint Ventures
In addition to the questionable awarding of contracts, KTR alleged that the Indian Hume Pipe Ltd., a public-listed concrete pipe manufacturing company, was coerced into forming a joint venture with Shodha Infrastructure for this project. However, Indian Hume Pipe was assigned only 20% of the project work, while the majority 80% was handed over to Shodha Infrastructure. This unequal partnership, KTR argued, is a clear sign of manipulation, designed to benefit the chief minister’s associates.
“The entire tendering process has been riddled with irregularities, with Revanth Reddy personally pressuring municipal officials to facilitate the awarding of these contracts,” KTR said during his address.
Call for Transparency and Public Disclosure
KTR demanded that the details of the tendering process and the contracts be made public to ensure transparency. He accused the Congress-led state government of deliberately hiding crucial information regarding these tenders over the past nine months. KTR further suggested that the CM’s actions may violate the Office of Profit Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act, calling for an investigation into the chief minister’s involvement in this multi-crore scam.
“The public has a right to know where the taxpayer’s money is going, and the lack of transparency around the AMRUT 2.0 scheme raises suspicions of widespread corruption,” KTR stated.
Demand for Union Government Action
KTR also addressed a letter to Union ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and Tokhan Sahu, urging the central government to cancel the suspicious contracts and launch a full-scale investigation into the alleged malpractices. He emphasized that such investigations are necessary to protect public funds and prevent further misuse of the AMRUT 2.0 scheme in Telangana.
Criticism of State BJP Leadership
In his remarks, KTR also criticized the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership for remaining silent on this issue. He hinted at their possible complicity in the alleged corruption, accusing them of turning a blind eye to the irregularities surrounding the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. He urged the BJP to take a stand and investigate the Congress-led state government’s dealings.
Overview of the AMRUT 2.0 Scheme
Launched in October 2021, the AMRUT 2.0 scheme was introduced to provide basic infrastructure to households in urban areas, including tap water supply, sewage systems, and urban transportation. Telangana has been allocated a total of Rs 9,584.26 crore under this scheme. Of this amount, Rs 5,355.05 crore has already been awarded, while the remaining Rs 4,229.21 crore is still in the process of being allocated after project reports and tender processes are completed.
Despite its noble objective, the scheme has now been mired in controversy due to the allegations of corruption and nepotism. KTR’s public accusations have brought these issues to the forefront, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the program’s implementation in Telangana.
Conclusion
KTR’s allegations against Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and his associates have set off a political storm. The claims of irregularities in the awarding of contracts under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme, along with the alleged involvement of the CM’s family, are now under scrutiny. With calls for greater transparency and investigations at both the state and central levels, the future of the AMRUT 2.0 scheme in Telangana hangs in the balance. Only time will tell how this political controversy will unfold, and whether the allegations hold any legal weight.
Disclaimer: This article is based on public statements and media reports. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The allegations stated herein are subject to further investigation.
