PC Ghosh grills Somesh, Smita

When the commission chief asked if he found any wrongdoing in the three barrages when he was the CS, Somesh Kumar replied that he did not remember the questions asked by the commission

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The inquiry commission headed by Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh ordered by Telangana Government in relation to the alleged corruption in the construction of Kaleswaram Lift Irrigation continuing its inquiry for the second day on Thursday questioned former Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and IAS officer and Youth Services department secretary Smita Sabharwal.

 The Commission has become serious about former CS Somesh Kumar. Commission Chairman Justice Ghosh expressed his displeasure on Somesh Kumar for not coming to the hearing hall immediately after being called. After that, questions were raised regarding the permissions regarding the barrages. When the Commission asked whether the CS had made any deal regarding the three barrages when he was the Irrigation Secretary, Somesh Kumar said that he had been the Irrigation Secretary for a short period of time and that he had gone ahead as per the decisions of the Cabinet when he was the Chief Secretary. 

The Commission asked whether any notes were found indicating that the construction of the three barrages was against the rules, he former CS did not answer the questions directly. Justice Ghosh warned Somesh Kumar to give only straight answers to the questions asked.

When the commission chief asked if he found any wrongdoing in the three barrages when he was the CS, Somesh Kumar replied that he did not remember the questions asked by the commission, he had forgotten, it had been many years.

When the Ghosh Commission asked if the barrages had put a financial burden on the state,  Somesh replied that the Principal Secretary of the Finance Department will take care of those matters. Somesh Kumar explained to Justice PC Ghosh that he would examine the files and make suggestions if there are any shortcomings. Later, Somesh Kumar said that he had signed only the files that had been cleared during the construction of the project. 

My role is limited: Smita Sabarwal

Earlier, the commission had questioned IAS officer and present youth services department secretary Smita Sabarwal publicly. She told the commission that her role was very limited.

Ghosh questioned Smita on the construction and permissions of Medigadda, Sundilla and Annaram barrages. When Smita was asked whether GOs were issued without cabinet approval, Smita Sabharwal replied that she did not know. She said that even though she worked as the CMO at that time, her role was limited. She said that if there were any mistakes during the construction, her job was to provide information to the CM. She said that her only duty was to coordinate with the collectors of the respective districts where projects and barrages were constructed, collect information, and convey the information from the CMO to the collectors.

A few more officials will be questioned tomorrow. It seems that the commission will then issue notices to key people in the then government who played a key role in this project and call them for investigation.