Cloud-seeding returns to haunt Raghuveera
HYDERABAD: After deciding to reinvestigate the liquor scam unearthed during the erstwhile Congress government, probably to target former APCC chief Botcha Satyanarayana, the Andhra Pradesh government has now begun to focus its attention on cornering APCC chief N Raghuveera Reddy.
Giving credence to this argument, the Cabinet Sub-Committee, which reviewed controversial decisions taken by the previous Congress governments on Saturday, has decided to conduct a fresh probe into the allegations on cloud-seeding project in which Raghuveera Reddy had faced charges.
The ministerial panel, headed by finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, at its meeting held here, examined the allegations levelled against the cloud-seeding project that was implemented in Anantapur district when Raghuveera was agriculture minister in the erstwhile Congress government.
'We have decided to have a fresh look into the irregularities that occurred in the cloud-seeding project when Raghuveera Reddy was agriculture minister. Hence, our committee has decided to refer the issue to an experts panel.
Soon after the experts express their view, we shall initiate action on those who were involved in the scam,' IT minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy, a member of the ministerial panel, told reporters emerging from the meeting. According to him, an amount of `120 crore was looted in the name of the cloud-seeding project during the previous Congress regime.
'Besides referring the issue to an experts panel, the government has also decided to hold a fresh audit to verify transactions in the government with regard to money paid to the company that had undertaken the cloud-seeding project,' Raghunatha Reddy said.
Turning to the issue of reopening investigation into the liquor scam, that had surfaced during the previous government, the IT minister said, 'As the issue is before the court, our government has decided to request the court to direct the investigating agency to reexamine the case right from the scratch as the names of several politicians and former ministers had figured in the scam.'
News Posted: 4 January, 2015
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