Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Thursday ordered the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities in the tender process for leasing out the Hyderabad Outer Ring Road (ORR) to a private firm, IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd, by the previous BRS government in 2023. The announcement was made during a short discussion in the Legislative Assembly on the topic of “Outstanding Liabilities of the State.”
Responding to a demand by BRS member T. Harish Rao, who urged the government to cancel the ORR lease if it believed the tender process was flawed, Revanth Reddy assured the Assembly that a detailed investigation would be conducted.
"Considering Harish Rao's plea, we are ordering a detailed investigation by SIT with the approval of all members in the House. The issue will also be discussed in a Cabinet meeting to finalise procedures for constituting the SIT," the Chief Minister said.
However, Harish Rao countered, demanding that the state government first cancel the ORR tender before proceeding with any probe. "We are ready to face an investigation, but the tender should be scrapped first," he said.
Responding to a demand by BRS member T. Harish Rao, who urged the government to cancel the ORR lease if it believed the tender process was flawed, Revanth Reddy assured the Assembly that a detailed investigation would be conducted.
"Considering Harish Rao's plea, we are ordering a detailed investigation by SIT with the approval of all members in the House. The issue will also be discussed in a Cabinet meeting to finalise procedures for constituting the SIT," the Chief Minister said.
However, Harish Rao countered, demanding that the state government first cancel the ORR tender before proceeding with any probe. "We are ready to face an investigation, but the tender should be scrapped first," he said.
Revanth Reddy highlighted the contributions of the Congress government to Hyderabad's growth during its tenure in undivided Andhra Pradesh from 2004 to 2014. He credited the Congress with building key infrastructure projects such as the international airport and the Outer Ring Road, which collectively boosted investments in IT and pharmaceutical sectors.
"The Congress invested nearly ₹ 7,000 crore to build the ORR by taking loans and repaid them to make it debt-free. Today, the ORR is a key revenue-generating asset for Telangana," he said.
"The Congress invested nearly ₹ 7,000 crore to build the ORR by taking loans and repaid them to make it debt-free. Today, the ORR is a key revenue-generating asset for Telangana," he said.
He alleged that the BRS government had leased out the ORR at “throwaway prices” in the run-up to the 2023 Assembly elections, claiming it was a conspiracy to embezzle funds before losing power and flee away from the country after losing power.
The ORR controversy revolves around the BRS government’s decision to lease the ORR for 30 years under a toll-operate-transfer (ToT) model for ₹ 7,380 crore. At the time of the lease, K.T. Rama Rao was the municipal minister, and Arvind Kumar served as the municipal administration Special Chief Secretary.
After assuming office as the Chief Minister in December 2023, Revanth Reddy criticised the process, stating that tenders were invited without finalising the base rate for the project, causing significant losses to the state exchequer.
After assuming office as the Chief Minister in December 2023, Revanth Reddy criticised the process, stating that tenders were invited without finalising the base rate for the project, causing significant losses to the state exchequer.
Revanth Reddy had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over the deal in a meeting with senior officials in February 2024, suggesting the possibility of handing over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a similar agency. He warned that criminal cases would be filed against those found guilty of irregularities.
As the TPCC chief in 2023, Revanth Reddy accused the BRS government of corruption, alleging that ₹ 1,000 crore exchanged hands in the ORR lease deal. He claimed that the project, which could generate ₹ 30,000 crore in the next decade, was leased for just ₹ 7,380 crore and reiterated his resolve to investigate the alleged scam if the Congress came to power.
As the TPCC chief in 2023, Revanth Reddy accused the BRS government of corruption, alleging that ₹ 1,000 crore exchanged hands in the ORR lease deal. He claimed that the project, which could generate ₹ 30,000 crore in the next decade, was leased for just ₹ 7,380 crore and reiterated his resolve to investigate the alleged scam if the Congress came to power.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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