The PC Ghose Judicial Commission, formed to investigate alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP), has held former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) “directly and vicariously accountable” for widespread flaws in the project’s planning, execution, and operations, according to sources familiar with the findings.
The commission’s 1,600-page report—expected to be reviewed soon by the Telangana Cabinet—has reportedly named KCR along with former ministers Etela Rajender and Harish Rao, all senior leaders of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
Sources indicate that the report accuses KCR and his then Irrigation Minister of unilaterally deciding to construct the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages, bypassing formal cabinet approvals. The commission claims that the lack of institutional oversight and procedural adherence was the primary cause of distress and dysfunction in these key components of the project.
“The sole and individual decisions of the Minister and Chief Minister, without formal government approval, directly resulted in irregularities and operational failures,” the commission reportedly noted.
Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose, who led the inquiry, observed that the project suffered from “rampant and brazen procedural and financial irregularities”, including flawed administrative approvals and compromised technical planning.
The report states that what was envisioned as a “lifeline for Telangana” ended up becoming a “colossal waste of public money”, primarily due to lapses in governance, financial discipline, and technical oversight—fueled by excessive political interference.
The Telangana Cabinet is set to examine the report and determine further legal or administrative action. The findings could potentially lead to accountability proceedings or further investigations into financial mismanagement during the previous administration.
The one-man commission was constituted on March 14, 2024, in response to growing public and political pressure to probe the escalating cost and structural failures of the Kaleshwaram project, one of India’s largest lift irrigation schemes.
