Date:18/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/18/stories/2007101855151000.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Place Somasila canal records in front of all-party delegation’

Staff Reporter

Team from IIT should be allowed to inspect quality: TDP

Somireddy dashes off a letter to Irrigation Minister
‘Technical team from any IIT should inspect lining works’

NELLORE: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has demanded that the Government place records pertaining to Somasila Kandaleru Flood Flow Canal (SKFFC) lining works in front of an all-party delegation to ascertain whether irregularities had taken place or not.

“With Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah denying irregularities in SKFFC lining works, I have dashed off a letter to the Minister citing facts and figures. Therefore, the Government should respond by placing all records in front of the all-party delegation. Moreover, it should allow any technical team from Indian Institutes of Technology to conduct stipulated 22 quality checks along the 36 km lining in presence of the media besides making the Vigilance Commission’s report on SKFFC lining works public,” TDP senior leader and former Minister Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy told reporters on Wednesday.

“But Mr. Prabhakara Reddy using his clout in the Government cancelled the tender. Subsequently, a fresh tender of Rs. 180 crore after including Kanigiri Reservoir canal works and other items to SKFFC lining works was called for under category I. Thus he got the works for his company A. P. R. Construction Limited in benami names KCL and JCCG by quoting two percent less to the quoted price. As a result the Government has lost around Rs. 30 crore in the whole manipulations.”

Besides, nobody, especially workers and technical staff belonged to KCL company and so called Chinese firm JCCG is spotted along the SKFFC lining. But the Government has paid money to these companies.

He alleged that many irregularities had taken places in thickness, material, hill cutting, filling cavities and in other construction related activities in SKFFC works and also in K. R. Left canal works.

“And I am ready to quit politics and tender an unconditional apology to Mr. Prabhakara Reddy and Mr. Lakshmaiah if my allegations are proved baseless,” the TDP leader claimed.