Hyderabad: Irrigation, Food & Civil Supplies Minister Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy has accused BRS leader T. Harish Rao of insulting the judicial commission probing the Kaleshwaram project and demanded that he apologise to the four crore people of Telangana.
He said the BRS had no respect for democratic institutions, courts, or legislatures. “They do not trust Parliament laws, judicial commissions, or constitutional processes. They ignored even a panel led by a retired Supreme Court judge,” he said.
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the judicial commission led by Justice P.C. Ghose had exposed irregularities from the initial concept of replacing Pranahita-Chevella to structural collapse at Medigadda. “Despite being summoned, both K. Chandrashekar Rao and Harish Rao testified. Why is Harish Rao now attacking the same commission before which he remained silent?” he asked.
Judicial findings, not political fiction
He said the commission’s findings were based on evidence, not political agendas. “This is not a report authored by Revanth Reddy or me. These are the words of a Supreme Court judge. Harish Rao is lying to the public and attacking institutions because the truth is out.”
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the commission detailed lapses in design, hydrology clearance, expert consultation, and approvals. “They ignored technical warnings, chose locations against advice, and built barrages that now collapse. And now they call it political revenge?”
He said Harish Rao’s testimony had already failed the test of truth. “The commission report reveals every lapse – who ordered what, who bypassed process, and who benefited. It exposed not just misjudgment but malpractice,” he said.
Assembly debate invited; accused must respond
Uttam Kumar Reddy said the Congress government would place the commission report before the Assembly for full debate. “This is how democracy works. Let those responsible come and answer on the floor of the House,” he said.
He said the Congress government had issued clear orders not to pay a single rupee without full land acquisition. “We did not make backdoor signatures without cabinet approval. They did,” he said.
Mocking the former leadership, Uttam Kumar Reddy said, “In the farmhouse, the uncle directed. In the party office, the nephew performed. Today they call that governance.”
He said BRS leaders built a structurally unsound project at public cost and now pretend to be victims. “They looted public money, and when caught, they blame the investigators. They have no moral right to speak.”
