Hyderabad:Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy ordered multiple inquiries into alleged irregularities during the previous BRS regime over the past year. However, even after 13 months in office, none of these inquiries have been completed, nor has any action been taken against any BRS leader or IAS officers who were found to be connected with these scams.
The investigations include judicial inquiries into Kaleshwaram, power purchase agreements, the Yadadri and Bhadradri thermal power station, an SIT probe into the ORR lease tender, forensic audits on the Dharani land scams, and cost escalations in the construction of the new Secretariat and the Warangal government super-specialty hospital, ACB probe into sheep distribution scam and Formula E Race scam
Despite being in office for over a year, the investigations initiated into these high-profile scams have shown little to no progress, raising doubts about the Congress government’s commitment to addressing corruption allegations.
Kaleshwaram scam
One of the most significant probes announced was a judicial inquiry into the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project. On March 13, 2024, the state government constituted a commission headed by former Supreme Court Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghose to investigate alleged corruption in the project's execution.
The commission was tasked with submitting a report within 100 days. However, after 10 months, the report is still pending, with no summons issued to key figures such as former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and former irrigation minister T. Harish Rao, despite their roles being highlighted by officials who deposed before the commission.
Power sector scam
A separate judicial commission led by retired High Court Justice L. Narasimha Reddy was established to investigate alleged irregularities in power purchase agreements (PPAs) and the construction of Bhadradri and Yadadri thermal power plants.
The inquiry faced a setback when Justice Reddy stepped down in July 2024 following Supreme Court’s criticism of his conduct.
Subsequently, Justice Madan Bhimarao Lokur was appointed to head the probe in July 2024. Media leaks from government sources claim that Justice Lokur submitted his report to the government on October 28, 2024, but there has been no official confirmation.
The commission did not summon key figures like Chandrashekhar Rao and former power minister G. Jagadish Reddy, despite testimonies from senior officials implicating their involvement. During a recent Cabinet meeting on January 4, Revanth Reddy reportedly tabled Justice Lokur’s report for discussion. While media leaks suggest the report was referred to the Advocate General for legal opinion, no official statement has been made.
The state government initiated an inquiry into the misuse of `50 crore in HMDA funds for the Formula E Race in January 2024. Notices were served to former minister K.T. Rama Rao and senior IAS official Arvind Kumar. However, Rama Rao challenged the inquiry in the High Court and the judgement remains pending.
In February and March 2024, ACB and Vigilance inquiries were ordered into alleged scams in sheep and fishlings distribution, with the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) estimating irregularities worth `253 crore. Arrests were made, including Telangana Livestock Development Agency CEO Sabavath Ramchandar, but investigations halted by July 2024. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also began probing the sheep scam but has made no progress since.
Other irregularities
Forensic audits and vigilance probes into alleged irregularities in land transactions via the Dharani portal, cost escalations in Warangal’s super-specialty hospital, and the construction of the new Telangana Secretariat have yielded no results. Officials and contractors implicated in these cases have yet to face consequences.
During the recent Legislative Assembly session on December 19, 2024, Revanth Reddy announced his government's decision to order an SIT (special investigation team) probe into irregularities in Hyderabad Outer Ring Road (ORR) lease tenders during the BRS regime. Let alone the probe, the government failed to constitute even the SIT to initiate the probe so far.
The slow pace of investigations and lack of concrete action have raised questions about the seriousness of the Congress government in addressing corruption. Critics argue that the inquiries are being used more for political posturing than achieving accountability. The government’s inability to summon key figures or conclude major probes has created the perception of inaction.
As the Congress government completes over a year in office, its failure to bring these high-profile cases to a logical conclusion has drawn widespread criticism. Political observers note that the government must act decisively to deliver on its promises of transparency and accountability.
