CLP demands probe into Mission Kakatiya tenders

Hyderabad, Sept 2 (INN): The Telangana Congress Legislature Party on Friday demanded probe into all the tenders of Mission Kakatiya and all irrigation projects being executed by TRS Government in the State.

Addressing a press conference at CLP Office here, Leader of Opposition in Council Mohammed Ali Shabbir and Deputy CLP leader Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy alleged that the TRS Government was indulging in largescale irregularities in executing the Mission Kakatiya and irrigation projects. Referring to recent raids conducted by the Vigilance Department, Shabbir Ali said that the Congress party's allegations of a scam were proved correct when two engineers and other officials were suspended for submitting fake bills. They reportedly claimed bills for 1 KM works after completing just 5 Metres of works under Mission Kakatiya in Mulugu of Warangal district. He said that the Vigilance Department itself has exposed several irregularities in Mission Kakatiya works.

Shabbir Ali said that the tenders for Palamuru Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation project too were proved to be bogus. He said Congress party has been demanding open and global tenders for all irrigation projects. He said that the TRS Government must realise that it was dealing with public money and it needs to be accountable for each penny. He said most of the tenders were bogus and they were assigned on bids' difference of 0.1% to 0.3%. He said hundreds of crores of public exchequer were being misappropriated.

The Congress leader demanded that the State Government place all tenders in public domain. Further, he said that all records pertaining to tenders of Mission Kakatiya and irrigation projects should be placed in the Assembly and Council for a detailed discussion. He said that the TRS Government acted in haste in initiating the tenders for various projects without even preparing their Detailed Project Reports. He said that the Congress party was not against the projects, but it was opposing the irregularities and misappropriation of public money by TRS Government.

Sudhakar Reddy listed out various irregularities in different irrigation projects. He said there should be detailed discussion on all tenders called by the TRS Government.

Shabbir Ali said two incidents of suicide by SIs have been reported during the last 15 days. "Such incidents will demoralise the entire police force. If the Chief Minister is really honest and transparent, then he must order probe and take action to restore the confidence of honest police officials," he said.