Inquiry Commission probing in biased manner, says KCR

Hyderabad: Former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao (KCR) here on Saturday wrote a letter to Justice (Retired) L Narasimha Reddy Commission of Inquiry, which is probing alleged irregularities into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) made with the Chhattisgarh government and on Bhadradri and Yadadri power plants during BRS regime, stating that the ongoing probe was being conducted in a biased manner aimed at targeting the previous BRS government.

Responding to a notice issued to him a few days ago seeking information on Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by June 15, KCR said that everyone knows the power situation before and after formation of separate Telangana.

“Being the son of Telangana, you (Justice Narasimha Reddy) knows the power situation before the formation of Telangana and subsequently how the situation was improved significantly,” he said. After the formation of Telangana, the BRS government ensured quality power supply to all sectors and everyone in the country knows it.

IT companies made a beeline to Hyderabad after the State government started supplying round-the-clock power to the industrial sector resulting in a rise in IT exports to Rs.2.41 crore in 2020 as against Rs.57,000 crore in 2014. The industrial and agriculture sectors witnessed massive growth due to 24-hour quality power supply in the State.

The government’s initiative prompted the people to keep away from inverters and generators because of uninterrupted power supply.

Referring to the notice issued to him, KCR said an investigation was nothing but a sacred responsibility and it was the responsibility of the investigating officer to mediate between two parties to bring the truth to light. After a detailed probe with documentary evidence, the report must be handed over to the responsible persons concerned.

“But your behavior was far from the truth. Your statements indicate that you want to give a report against the previous government. It’s like delivering a verdict even before completion of the inquiry and there is no fairness in your probe. Thus, there is no point in appearing before the commission to give my statement,” he said. KCR urged Justice Narasimha Reddy to voluntarily quit from the responsibility of the Commission duties keeping in view the issues raised by him.