Alleging that large-scale irregularities, to the tune of Rs 380 crore were involved in the 27th package works of the prestigious Pranahita-Chevella heavy project in Adilabad district by ‘Sushe Hitec’ Constructions, senior Congress leaders urged Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to cancel the works awarded to the construction company. Sushe Hitec is a family concern of Bhongir Congress MP Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy and Nalgonda MLA Komatireddy Venkata Reddy.
MP Palvai Govardhan Reddy, housing minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, former minister P. Narsa Reddy and Nirmal Congress MLA Aleti Maheswara Reddy said the company has deliberately flouted all norms and changed designs, estimates and even ‘ayacut’ to serve its selfish ends and in the process, swindled people's money in a big way. They told this correspondent that the Chief Minister had ordered an enquiry into the matter. Mr Maheswar Reddy said, “If I cannot prove the irregularities committed by the Bhongir MP’s family concern, I will resign from my Assembly membership.”
“The total estimated expenditure for this package amounts to Rs 756 crore, when all the works can be done in less than Rs 300 crore. What’s going on is a total fraud, even irrigation secretary Adityanath Das is supporting the contractor and is unable to cancel the works, despite the nod for an enquiry,” Mr Govardhan Reddy alleged. In yet another story of the alleged dark side of the Jalayagnam project implementation, Sushe Hitec Constructions was awarded the 27th package of the Pranahita-Chevella major lift irrigation scheme in Nirmal division of Adilabad district.
“The same company siphoned off Rs 100 crore of public money in Mid-Manair dam works a few years ago,” alleged Mr Govardhan Reddy. “They did nothing except fill some gaps with sand and mud and took Rs 100 crore,” he said. As for the 27th package works in Nirmal division, according to the complaint, an 'ayacut' of 50,000 acres was shown, but more than 26,000 acres of 'ayacut' were overlapping and already receiving irrigation from Tanks and Lift irrigation schemes for the past many years.
“Under the EPC system the contractor's firm will be given the responsibility of design, estimates and execution. Unfortunately there is no monitoring or evaluation of works,” said Mr Maheswara Reddy.