Nagam files PIL against shoddy works in irrigation projects

Former Minister Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy told the High Court at Hyderabad that as a senior citizen of the State of Telangana, he was feeling sad after witnessing the below quality works being carried out in various irrigation projects.

Contractors who had no experience except for laying pipes across roads have been awarded complex irrigation project works and this may result in danger in future, he remarked. Dr Reddy made these submissions before the Division Bench comprising of Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice K Vijayalakshmi on Tuesday during a hearing on Public Interest Litigation he had filed as a Party-in-Person seeking CBI inquiry into boosting of value of electro-magnetic equipment used in Palamuru-Ranga Reddy Lift Irrigation Scheme (PRLIS) project.

Additional Advocate General J Ramchander Rao suggested to the Bench to take up this case in June, after summer vacation. Dr Reddy told the Bench that in that case, interim order stopping payments to the contractors may be passed. The Bench directed him to continue his arguments. Dr Reddy detailed how the artificial boosting of values of E&M equipment had been done and how it was sought to be concealed.

He complained to the Bench that Navayuga contractor firm had still not filed its counter affidavit to which the Bench responded saying that whether or not Navayuga files a counter affidavit or not, he can make his submissions regarding that firm in the court. The case was adjourned to next Tuesday for continuing the arguments.