BJP alleges irregularities in Pattisam lift irrigation scheme

The BJP today demanded that the government order an inquiry by either a sitting judge or CBI into "large-scale financial misappropriation" in the execution of Pattisam lift irrigation scheme on the Godavari river.

The TDP government, however, brushed aside the demand, saying there were no irregularities in the scheme.

The issue triggered a verbal duel between erstwhile colleagues BJP and TDP members in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly this evening during a discussion on the demand for (budgetary) grants.

Citing a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, BJP floor leader P Vishnu Kumar Raju said over Rs 371 crore was allegedly misappropriated in the execution of the Pattisam lift irrigation scheme.

The scheme as such is very good but I am only concerned about the misuse of public money.The CAG has clearly established the irregularities in the project," said Raju, who is also a member of the Assembly Public Accounts Committee.

Ministers, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, K Atchannaidu, Kalva Srinivasulu, and government whip Kuna Ravi Kumar hit back at the BJP member and said CAG had only made certain "observations" over Pattisam to which the government official gave appropriate replies.

"Raju is reading out the script prepared by (Prime Minister) Modi because the TDP has parted ways with the BJP. The BJP and the YSR Congress are working in collusion and levelling baseless allegations," Umamaheswara Rao, who holds the Water Resources portfolio, remarked.

Another BJP legislator and former minister P Manikyala Rao objected to the TDP ministers' attack on his colleague and said they were only seeking the truth.

"Why did you not raise the issue when you were a minister till the other day? You are levelling the allegations only because we are no longer allies," the ministers charged.

The BJP floor leader hit back asking the ministers why an inquiry by a sitting judge or CBI could not be ordered if there were no irregularities.

"The inquiry will make everything crystal clear," Raju said.

But the treasury side did not budge even as Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao adjourned the House for the day.