TS told to explain why PRRLI Electro Mechanical equipment cost is increased

Hyderabad: The High Court at Hyderabad has directed the Telangana State government to explain on what basis the cost of Electro Mechanical equipment being used in Palamuru Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation project has been increased from the rates proposed by the Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI). It has also directed the public sector company Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) to file a counter affidavit explaining this issue.

The division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice G Shyam Prasad gave these directions on Tuesday while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by former Minister and BJP leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy seeking a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation into the illegal enhancement of cost of Electro Mechanical equipment used in Palamur Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Project that has resulted in a loss of Rs 2426.07 crore to the public exchequer.

Janardhan Reddy, who argued this case as a Party-in-Person informed the bench that the Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI) that was tasked with the preparation of Detailed Project Report had proposed Rs 62 crore for each pump cost while the government had hiked the same to nearly Rs 92 crore.

This was higher than what the successful bidders quoted, he informed the court. With around 40 pumps being required for all the stages of pumping, this cost differential would drain public resources, he submitted. He also pointed out that as per the RTI information he had received, no note file has been put up regarding this increase in prices, which he felt was violative of all norms and guidelines relating to such issues.

Telangana Additional Advocate General J Ramachander Rao countered that the petitioner is looking at issues with jaundiced eyes and he had filed other Writ petitions also in order to stall the project. The bench intervened and stated that the petitioner belonging to a political party is of no consequence to this case and sought to know on what basis the cost had been increased. The AAG sought time to get instructions and accordingly the bench gave three weeks time to the Telangana government and BHEL to file detailed counter affidavits.

It also issued notices to other respondents, including ESCI and Central Vigilance Commission. When the petitioner sought permission to serve personal notice to CBI, the bench stated that it would decide on that issue after receiving the counters and adjourned the case by three weeks.

Miyapur land scamGovt asked to file counter
The High Court at Hyderabad has directed the Telangana State government and the accused Directors of respondent company to file counter affidavits within four weeks.

The division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice G Shyam Prasad gave a direction to this effect on Tuesday while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by BJP spokesperson and lawyer M Raghunandan Rao seeking transfer of criminal cases registered in Kukatpally police station relating to Miyapur land scam to CBI and formation of an independent court monitored Special Investigation Team to investigate the case.

Telangana Advocate General D Prakash Reddy informed the bench that notices had been served to all the accused under Section 41A of CrPC. Some of the accused are abroad, he informed the court. The accused had assured the police that they would appear whenever they are called for investigation. A charge sheet has also been filed in the case.

Raghunanda Rao, the petitioner and party in person, questioned as to what was the urgency in filing the charge sheet without the investigation being completed. He charged that it was to help the accused.

The bench commented that it cannot interfere with the court process at the lower level. The bench adjourned the case to four weeks.

ASI promises to build compound wall for Ramappa temple
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has assured the High Court at Hyderabad that it would complete the building of a new compound wall for the UNESCO recognised world heritage site Ramappa temple in Warangal district within six months at a cost of over Rs 1.26 crore.

Assistant Solicitor General of India K Lakshman informed this to the division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice G Shyam Prasad. He submitted a counter affidavit filed by Superintendent of ASI in the Public Interest Litigation petition which came up for hearing on Tuesday.

The High Court had on its own initiated this PIL after taking into account newspaper reports about dilapidated condition of compound wall. The wall had collapsed due to incessant rains last time.

The ASG informed the bench that the temple was built in 1213 AD by Kakateeya rulers and it is one of the few world heritage sites in Telangana State.

The ASI had commissioned a report by a professor of NIT Warangal on this issue and it was stated that if the right quarry is identified for getting stone of matching colour and size, the work of building a new compound wall can be taken up. An estimate was made for Rs 1.26 crore and it has been submitted for sanction.

The division bench directed that the sanction for the amount be granted at the earliest and steps be taken for completing the building of the wall within six months.