Uttam question allotment of 800 acres to Welspun Group

Hyderabad : Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Capt. N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has alleged that a major scam has occurred in allotment of land and other sops by TRS Government to Welspun Group.

In an informal chat with media persons at Gandhi Bhavan on Friday, Uttam Kumar Reddy pointed out that the State Government has allotted 800 acres of land to Welspun Group through three different GOs (19, 20 & 21) issued on the same day (23-03-2018) by the same department (Industries & Commerce). Through GO Ms No.19, M/s Welspun Flooring Ltd has been allotted 500 acres of land, One time Capital Subsidy of Rs 80 Cr, Interest Subsidy @ 8% per annum for a period of 8 Years, Power Tariff subsidy of Rs 2.625 per unit for a period of 10 years and 100% Gross SGST Reimbursement.

Similarly, through GO Ms. No. 20, M/s Welspun Corp Ltd is allotted 150 acres of land, 10% Capital Subsidy, Interest Subsidy @ 5% per Annum for a period of 5 Years, Power Tariff subsidy of Rs 2.5 per unit for a period of 10 years and 100% Net SGST Reimbursement. Likewise, through G.O. Ms. No. 21, M/s Welspun India Ltd has been allotted 150 acres of land, One time Capital Subsidy of Rs 40 Cr, Interest Subsidy @ 8% per Annum for a period of 8 Years, Power Tariff subsidy of Rs 2.625 per unit for a period of 10 years, 100% Gross SGST Reimbursement.

Uttam asked the TRS Government to explain the criteria on which 800 acres of land worth several hundred crores have been allotted to Welspun Group in a single shot. He alleged that the allotments and sops were part of a quid pro quo between the firms and Industries Minister K. Takarama Rao. He also alleged that IT Secretary Jayesh Ranjan has played the key role in these irregularities and assisted KTR in the scam. He said similarly irregularities have been occurring in all portfolios like Mission Bhagiratha and Mines being handled by KTR. He also described KTR as the most corrupt minister in the entire country.

The TPCC Chief also clarified that he had never mentioned that Pragati Bhavan, the official residence of Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, had 150 rooms. "What I pointed out is not the built-up area, but the usage of Pragati Bhavan where KCR family has been living a lavish lifestyle using hard-earned public money. While the economic conditions of common people have been deteriorating every day, KCR family's assets are increasing day by day. KCR family members travel by private aircrafts and luxury cars. While common people have no access to Pragathi Bhavan, it accords grand welcome to Andhra contractors who bring cash bags," he alleged.

He announced that the Congress party, after coming to power in next elections, will order a probe into the corruption of KCR's family.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Congress president Rahul Gandhi was extremely happy with the success of Praja Chaitanya Bus Yatra. He said Rahul Gandhi has agreed to participate in the next phase of bus yatra.

He expressed confidence of Congress retaining power in Karnataka as elections are one-sided affair in favour of the party. He said while BJP is unable to put up a strong fight, JD (S) is limited to Mandya region.

Earlier in the day, Uttam Kumar Reddy, along with AICC Secretary R.C. Khuntia and other senior leaders, addressed a press conference appealing the Congress cadre to participate in the Jan Akrosh Rally being led by Rahul Gandhi in Delhi on April 29.