Justice Ghose Panel to Resume Klis Inquiry

Hyderabad: The Justice P.C. Ghose Commission of Inquiry will resume hearings and cross-examination of witnesses in the irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project (KLIS) on Tuesday with a special focus on the money trail.

This will be the last phase of the probe as the commission's term ends on February 28. It is expected the government will give one more two-month extension to the commission for preparing the final report. The final report will likely be submitted at the end of March.

Among the first few to be cross-examined on Tuesday will be special chief secretary (finance) K. Ramakrishna Rao. In subsequent days, he will be followed by other officials involved in the chain of command for releasing funds.

The commission, it is learnt, will focus on financial transactions of the project as there are believed to be certain indications that the release of money for bills submitted by contractors may not have followed the rule book.

Also to be called for cross-examination will be representatives from L&T-JES PV which built the Medigadda barrage – the worst hit among the three of the project. Officials of Afcons, which built the Annaram barrage, and Navayuga, which constructed the Sundilla barrage, are also expected to be cross-examined. All three barrages of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme had developed serious problems.

It is not yet clear whether BRS leaders, who held decision-making roles when the project was being completed, will be called for questioning.

It is expected the then Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, former irrigation and finance minister T. Harish Rao, and another former minister Etala Rajender will be summoned by the commission as the last few witnesses.