Congress demands probe into award of drip irrigation contract to Netafim Co.

Demanding that Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao order CBI inquiry into awarding of drip irrigation contract worth Rs 49.89 crore to Netafim Private Company Limited, TPCC alleged that quid-pro-quo took place between the Chief Minister, Netafim Private Company Limited and Agricultural University vice-chancellor Praveen Rao.

 

Speaking to the media at Gandhi Bhavan here on Friday, Congress leaders D K Aruna, Konagala Mahesh and Shobha Reddy alleged that the Agricultural University new vice-chancellor Praveen Rao, who earlier worked with Netafim Private Company Limited, worked as a broker between the Chief Minister and Netafim Company. They alleged that the Chief Minister awarded Rs 49.89 crore worth drip irrigation works at Erravalli and Narsannapet villages to Netafim Company because Netafim Company installed drip irrigation system in Chief Minister’s 63-acre farm house.

They alleged that Chief Minister first appointed Praveen Rao, who worked as a technical advisor to the Netafim Company as a special officer to the Agricutlural University and now he appointed the same person as vice-chancellor of the prestigious Agricultural University just because Praveen Rao was the person introduced Netafim Company, which installed drip irrigation system in KCR’s farm house, to the Chief Minister.

 

Alleging that corruption took place in this episode, they said that the government failed to upload G.O.No.149, which was released on installing drip irrigation system at Erravalli and Narsannapet villages at 100 percent subsidy, in State government website. “It proves that the government indulged in irregularities”, they alleged and demanded that the government order a comprehensive inquiry into the episode.

 

Accusing the KCR government of legalizing corruption in the State, they said the government, which used to say that was against mobilization advances, gave 25 percent mobilization advances to Netafim Company. Questioning the government to tell as to why it has given mobilization advance to Netafim Company, they alleged that the State government indulged in corruption in Telangana State Micro Irrigation Projects (TSMIP). Expressing doubts on Praveen Rao’s educational credentials, Congress leaders alleged that the Chief Minister appointed Praveen Rao as vice-chancellor of the Agricultural University because Praveen Rao brokered between the Chief Minister and Netafim Company. Questioning the Chief Minister to tell as to why he was showing special love towards Netafim Company, they wondered as to how the Finance department gave permission when the government assigned Rs 49.89-crore work on nomination basis without calling tenders.

 

Reiterating their demand that the government order CBI inquiry into the episode, they asked the Chief Minister to stay away from his position till the probe was completed. They alleged that they have all proofs regarding the scam and said the Chief Minister appointed broker Praveen Rao as the Agricultural University VC because he made the Netafim Company to install drip irrigation system in KCR’s farm house and KCR also nominated Rs 49.89-crore drip irrigation system installation works in Erravalli and Narsannapet villages in Chief Minister’s constituency.

It may be recalled that the Chief Minister adopted Erravalli and Narsannapet villages and was installing drip irrigation system in both the villages on 100 percent subsidy basis in 3300 acres land. (NSS)