TDP govt's graft exposed: Anil Kumar

Amaravati: Minister for Irrigation P Anil Kumar Yadav has challenged the TDP leaders whether they would wind up their party if the YSRCP government completes the Polavaram project on schedule.

He was addressing a press conference at YSRCP office at Tadepalli in Guntur district on Tuesday. The Minister, while reacting to the charge by the TDP that the government was delaying the works on the Polavaram project, asserted that the reverse tendering process adopted by the government for Polavaram irrigation project was a super success.

It helped the government save more than 12 per cent of money to the exchequer. He recalled that the contract was given to the same company by the previous TDP government at higher price.

He said that the YSRCP government had proved allegations made by the TDP wrong by conducting reverse tenders for Polavaram and saved public money. During the last three years, there was not even a single tender awarded to any company by reducing price quoted by contractors when the TDP was in power, he added.

The Minister observed that the TDP leaders felt scared as their corrupt practices were uncovered through reverse tendering. He said the quality of works would not be compromised even after giving the tenders to Megha company, which is going to get the Polavaram project.

He added that the TDP government gave at least Rs 25,000 crore works to the same company. But, the TDP leaders were now raising hue and cry expressing doubts on the capabilities of Megha company, he added.

The Minister questioned as to why Navayuga Engineering Ltd did not participate in the reverse tendering procedure if they were competent enough. He said the Navayuga company is willing to undertake any works only if they are given works on nomination basis, but not through competitive bidding procedure.

He slammed the TDP leader Devinani Uma Maheswara Rao Rao for taking the prime land belonging to the Irrigation Department in Vijayawada for lease at throwaway price. The Minister demanded that Rao surrender the land.