Hyderabad, January 05: Apprehending serious trouble to the state due to the recent award of the Krishna River Disputes Tribunal on allocation of waters among Karnataka, Maharashtra and AP, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has decided to take the views of experts and retired engineers concerned to decide on the future course of action.
At a PAC meeting chaired by senior TDP leader Nagam Janardhan Reddy in the Assembly committee hall here today, the PAC members, who included MLCs KR Amos, P Sudhakar Reddy (of Congress), MLAs B Gopalakrishna Reddy (TDP), K Kanna Babu (PRP) and others reviewed the issues pertaining to EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) system in Jalayagnam programme, land acquisition and audit reports of irrigation projects and the tribunal award. The majority felt that about eight irrigation projects in the state would be affected due to increase in the height of Almatti dam in accordance with the recent award.
There were divergent views on the Tribunal award. As there was scope to file a case on the Tribunal award within 90 days, opinions of retired engineers and experts concerned should be taken to put forth an ‘effective’ argument on the issue to protect the state’s interests, they told the irrigation officials.
The PAC chairman directed the financial secretary to take steps for early clearance of pending bills related to payment of compensation for acquired land. Delay in payment of bills pertaining to small works were resulting in delay in project construction works, he felt. Every step should be taken to avert irregularities in the EPC system, he noted.
—Agencies