On Thursday (27th June),The Telangana High Court adjourned a petition by K Chandrashekar Rao seeking a stay on Justice (retired) L Narasimha Reddy Commission proceedings until June 28. Rao, president of Bharat Rashtra Samiti and former Telangana Chief Minister, challenged the commission’s proceedings.
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HYDERABAD: On Thursday (27th June), The Telangana High Court adjourned the hearing to Friday on a petition filed by K Chandrashekar Rao, president of Bharat Rashtra Samiti and former Telangana Chief Minister, seeking a halt to all future proceedings of the Justice (retired) L Narasimha Reddy Commission.
The Narasimha Reddy Commission: An Overview
The Narasimha Reddy Commission was established by the Congress government led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who assumed office four months ago. In March, the government appointed two judicial commissions to scrutinize specific actions taken during the tenure of the previous administration under K Chandrashekar Rao.
The first commission is tasked with investigating the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) made with Chhattisgarh during 2014-15, as well as the construction of power projects at Yadadri and Bhadradri. The second commission focuses on probing allegations of irregularities in the Kaleshwaram irrigation project.
After the formation of the separate state of Telangana in 2014, the newly established Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government under KCR faced a significant power shortage. To address this issue, the TRS government entered into several agreements with Chhattisgarh to purchase power. These agreements, however, have been mired in controversy, with allegations suggesting that the Telangana government acquired power at inflated prices.
In the petition, KCR has sought to halt the proceedings of the Justice L Narasimha Reddy Commission, arguing that the commission’s actions are politically motivated and intended to malign his administration. The former Chief Minister’s legal team contends that the inquiries are “not based on any substantive evidence” and are instead aimed at “targeting and harassing political opponents.”
Justice (retired) L Narasimha Reddy, who heads the commission, has stated that the investigations are “impartial and based solely on evidence.”
He emphasized-
“We aim to achieve transparency and accountability in the execution of these projects.”
The allegations surrounding the power purchase agreements and the construction of power projects have been a point of contention. Critics argue that the agreements with Chhattisgarh were “financially imprudent” and “not in the best interest of the state.” They claim that the agreements resulted in “substantial financial losses” for Telangana.
On the other hand, supporters of KCR argue that the agreements were necessary to address the acute power shortage faced by the newly formed state. They assert that the deals were “crucial for ensuring uninterrupted power supply” and “fostering industrial growth” in Telangana.
The Kaleshwaram irrigation project, one of the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation projects, has also come under scrutiny. Allegations of financial irregularities and procedural lapses have prompted the second judicial commission to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has dismissed the allegations as “baseless and politically motivated.” He maintains that the projects were executed with “utmost transparency” and “in accordance with all regulatory norms.”
The Commission has issued a notice on June 11, requesting a response from Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) by June 15 regarding the Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) made during his tenure from 2014 to 2023. The notice has triggered a series of legal and political maneuvers, highlighting the contentious nature of the investigation.
In his reply to the notice, KCR accused the Commission of bias and being politically motivated. He specifically requested Justice Reddy to recuse himself from the proceedings.
KCR stated-
“The Commission shows bias and political motivation.”
reflecting his strong objections to the impartiality of the investigation.
Anticipating that he might be summoned to appear in person to record his statement, KCR filed a petition in the High Court seeking a stay on all proceedings of the Commission. This move came shortly after G Jagdish Reddy, the former Energy Minister in KCR’s Cabinet, was issued a notice to appear before the Commission to provide his statement regarding the PPAs.
In his petition, KCR asserted-
“The electricity purchase was conducted in accordance with regulations.”
He also raised objections to Justice Reddy’s comments about allegations of irregularities while the probe was still ongoing. KCR emphasized the legality of the electricity purchases, aiming to dispel any notions of misconduct during his administration.
The Commission’s scrutiny extends beyond PPAs to alleged irregularities in the construction of significant power plants. The investigation focuses on the Bhadradri Thermal Power Plant at Manuguru in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, and the Yadadri Thermal Power Plant at Damaracherla in Nalgonda district. These projects were undertaken by the Telangana State Power Generation Corporation, now renamed as TG GENCO.
The probe has seen key figures such as D Prabhakar Rao, the former Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Telangana Genco, and Suresh Chand, the former Special Chief Secretary (Energy), appearing before the Commission to provide their statements. These testimonies are crucial as the Commission delves into the specifics of the alleged irregularities.
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This investigation highlights the complexities and potential irregularities in the management of state resources and infrastructure projects. The outcome of this probe could have far-reaching implications, not only for the individuals directly involved but also for the overall governance and transparency in public projects in Telangana.
