Published Apr 24, 2026 | 3:10 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 24, 2026 | 3:10 PM
The PC Ghose Commission’s findings included negligence, hiding facts, and financial irregularities in the construction of the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages of the Kaleshwaram project.
Synopsis: A meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday, 23 April, decided to make an in-person representation to the CBI director. The meeting discussed a wide range of subjects, including the ongoing strike by Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) employees, settlement of pending dues to retired staff, and plans to modernise the Gachibowli Stadium under a Public-Private Partnership model.
The Telangana Cabinet has decided to make a fresh representation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), urging the central agency to expedite the probe into alleged irregularities in the construction of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
A meeting of the Cabinet on Thursday, 23 April, decided to make an in-person representation to the CBI director. The meeting discussed a wide range of subjects, including the ongoing strike by Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) employees, settlement of pending dues to retired staff, and plans to modernise the Gachibowli Stadium under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The key focus of the meeting was on the recent Telangana High Court judgment on the report submitted by the Justice PC Ghose Commission that probed the alleged irregularities in the project.
Briefing the media after the meeting, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the high court had upheld the legality and constitutionality of the Commission. He clarified that the court neither found fault in the appointment of the panel nor rejected its findings.
However, it pointed out a procedural lapse — the failure to issue notices to certain petitioners. The court also made it clear that observations made in the report against individuals cannot be acted upon directly.
The Cabinet noted that this does not dilute the larger findings of the Commission regarding alleged irregularities in the project. Uttam Kumar Reddy said the verdict did not amount to a “clean chit” for those involved, including former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and others named in the case.
Describing the project as a “man-made disaster,” the minister said the report had flagged serious flaws in planning, design, and construction, particularly in the Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla barrages. He added that the 665-page report pointed to instances of alleged malpractice, suppression of facts, and systemic lapses.
The Cabinet recalled that the state government had already issued a Government Order seeking a CBI probe into the alleged scam. However, even after nine months, the investigation has not commenced. In view of this, the Cabinet resolved to once again formally request the CBI to take up the investigation at the earliest.
Also Read: Why PC Ghose Commission report on Kaleshwaram is legally redundant
It was decided that the chief minister and Uttam Kumar Reddy would meet the CBI director soon and submit all relevant reports prepared by various agencies on the Kaleshwaram project.
The proposed probe was expected to examine allegations of large-scale corruption, fund misuse reportedly exceeding ₹1.45 lakh crore, and possible negligence by officials, contractors, and the previous regime. The Cabinet also decided to consult legal experts in Delhi to examine the High Court judgment in detail and take a considered call on whether to approach the Supreme Court of India.
Also Read: TGSRTC protester dies by suicide
Another major issue discussed was the ongoing strike by TGSRTC employees. The Cabinet made a strong appeal to workers to call off the agitation and return to duties in the larger public interest. It urged employees to exercise restraint and assured them that the government is committed to resolving their issues through dialogue.
An official committee has already been constituted with a positive intent to address their concerns. The Cabinet requested union leaders to participate in talks scheduled for Friday under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka.
The strike has disrupted public transport services, affecting lakhs of commuters across the state. Ministers D Sridhar Babu and Ponnam Prabhakar appealed to employees to withdraw the strike immediately. The chief minister also directed officials to ensure alternative transport arrangements to minimise inconvenience to the public. Reports of distress among RTC staff, including instances of attempted suicides, were also discussed. (One driver who attempted suicide died late on Thursday night).
A Resource Mobilisation Sub-Committee, headed by the deputy chief minister, will hold consultations with employee unions, teachers’ associations, and pensioners’ organisations. The Cabinet set a target of settling retirees’ dues within 100 days and directed officials to prepare a concrete action plan before the next Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet expressed serious concern over the large volume of pending dues to employees, which it said had accumulated over the previous decade. It noted that at the time of Telangana’s formation, such arrears did not exist, and blamed the previous government for the current burden.
According to Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy, dues of about ₹6,000 crore to retired employees were pending. The delay in the settlement of retirement benefits, despite the enhancement of the retirement age, has caused significant hardship to pensioners and their families.
The Cabinet resolved to initiate immediate steps to clear these dues and ensure that retired employees were not inconvenienced. Despite financial constraints, it decided to explore all possible avenues for resource mobilisation. In a notable gesture, several ministers and public representatives expressed willingness to contribute 50 percent of their salaries to facilitate immediate payments to retirees.
In another decision, the Cabinet approved the appointment of governing bodies on a nomination basis for Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies (PACS) whose terms had expired.
The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to modernise the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad under the PPP model. Of the total 76 acres available, 64 acres would be developed with infrastructure for 21 different sports disciplines. The capacity of the outdoor stadium would be expanded from 20,000 to 50,000 seats.
Plans include upgrading the existing swimming pool, establishing a Sports University, and creating residential and training facilities for athletes. The remaining 12 acres would be for commercial development, with revenues to be used for maintaining the sports infrastructure and supporting athletes.
The Cabinet further decided to expedite land acquisition for the long-pending Chinna Kaleshwaram Project, which has been a key demand in the Manthani constituency. The project would benefit around 45,000 acres and 63 villages across Mahadevpur, Kataram, Malhar Rao, and Mahamutharam mandals.
Of the required 2,427 acres, about 1,020 acres have already been acquired. The Cabinet approved proposals worth ₹166.67 crore to acquire the remaining land and remove bottlenecks that have delayed the project.
The Cabinet approved the establishment of an Integrated Aqua Park at Hajipur in the Mancherial district, near the Sripada Yellampalli Project. Around 85.10 acres of land belonging to the Irrigation Department would be transferred to the Fisheries Department for the initiative.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
