Justice P.C. Ghose Commission Flags KCR’s Role in Kaleshwaram Project Lapses

Quick Summary

• Justice P.C. Ghose Commission’s 665-page report on alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation project was placed before the Telangana State Council of Ministers on August 4, 2025.
• the inquiry pointed to direct and indirect lapses by former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR), spanning planning, construction, operation, and maintenance stages.
• Irrigation Minister N.Uttam Kumar Reddy presented a power-point summary of the findings during a meeting that focused solely on thes allegations.
• Former Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao and ex-Finance Minister Eatala Rajender were also named for lapses:

– Harish Rao was accused of overseeing faulty decisions regarding barrages.- Eatala Rajender allegedly provided false data about Cabinet consent for the project.

• A smaller three-member official committee summarized findings from the Justice Ghose report into a concise 60-page presentation reviewed by State Ministers; KCR was mentioned 32 times, Harish Rao 19 times, and Rajender five times in relation to irregularities.
• Evidence manipulation by officials connected to the project was highlighted with recommendations for unspecified punitive measures.

Image Source: Ramakrishna G / File

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Justice P.C. Ghose Commission’s conclusions against key political figures linked to one of India’s largest irrigation projects signal significant accountability challenges in large-scale infrastructure planning. While irrigation systems like Kaleshwaram are pivotal for agricultural needs in Telangana,alleged financial mismanagement or bypassing expert recommendations can result not only in resource inefficiency but also shake public trust in policymaking institutions.

For India as a whole, this case underscores an essential need for clear oversight mechanisms behind such massive projects-especially those affecting livelihoods across states reliant on water security solutions amid changing climate dynamics. While legal actions may follow against implicated individuals or departments as called out by this investigation, ensuring equitable improvements without delay for rural beneficiaries should remain central so that controversies do not further disrupt ongoing operations.

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