Why Revanth Reddy govt Ignored Justice Lokur Commission Report?!
BRS chief and former Chief Minister of Telangana KCR has always exhibited a peculiar attitude — he believes he can question anyone in the world, but no one should question him on any issue. He behaved the same way throughout his tenure in power. Now, the Justice P.C. Ghose Commission, appointed by the Telangana government to investigate the irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project, has issued notices to former Chief Minister KCR. Not just KCR, former Irrigation Minister Harish Rao and former Finance Minister Etela Rajender have also been served notices. KCR has been asked to appear before the commission on June 5, Harish Rao on June 6, and Etela Rajender on June 9. How former CM KCR responds to these notices has now become a matter of great interest.
In the past, when the Telangana government constituted a commission to probe the irregularities in electricity purchases and power projects, notices were also issued to KCR. He challenged them in the courts. Eventually, without questioning KCR directly, the commission interrogated the then-serving officials and submitted its report on October 28 last year. Initially, retired judge L. Narasimha Reddy headed this commission, but he resigned amid controversies. Justice Lokur later took charge and submitted the final report. This commission primarily investigated irregularities in Chhattisgarh power purchases and the construction of Yadadri and Bhadradri power plants.
Revanth Reddy, who was in the opposition at the time, had repeatedly criticized the then BRS government over these same issues. He strongly accused KCR of causing losses worth thousands of crores to the state exchequer. Now, it has been seven months since the Lokur Commission submitted its report, yet the Revanth Reddy government seems to have completely forgotten its existence — a criticism that is gaining traction. There were leaks to the media suggesting that once the report was received, it would be discussed in the cabinet and placed before the assembly to take stringent action. Some ministers even made public statements to this effect. However, the report has not been made public so far, and no action has been taken, raising several doubts about the government’s intent.
With notices now being issued to former CM KCR, Harish Rao, and Etela Rajender in relation to the Kaleshwaram project, the debate over the power report has resurfaced. There are also allegations that key aspects were deliberately excluded from the Kaleshwaram probe. Officials have reportedly stated that some decisions were taken to benefit major contractors. The flaws in the Kaleshwaram project were exposed particularly at the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages. Despite this, there is growing speculation that if the government fails to act against those responsible in the previous administration, these BRS scams may become a significant challenge for Revanth Reddy’s government.
The flaws in the Kaleshwaram project were also highlighted in the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) report. The P.C. Ghose Commission has already spoken to top officials who worked in the irrigation department during the previous government — including Engineers-in-Chief and Chief Engineers — and has prepared its report. It now plans to question KCR along with former ministers Harish Rao and Etela Rajender before submitting its final report to the government.
