TDP MP CM Ramesh-Owned Firm Lands Plum Telugu Ganga Lining Contract

Amaravati: Rithwik Projects, a firm owned by Andhra Pradesh chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu's close associate TDP Rajya Sabha MP, CM Ramesh, it is widely known has been the beneficiary of the TDP government's largess, on Telugu Ganga project works.

To spell out the details, the AP government had on March 20, 2007 issued orders putting the estimated cost of the project works at Rs.4,460.64 Crore. By 2009, 95% of the work on this project had been completed.

With only 5% of work remaining to be completed, the TDP government issued orders hiking the estimated cost to Rs.6,671 crore on March 9, 2018. It was clear that this unreasonable hike in costs was a move by the AP chief minister to rake in commissions, by assigning the work to his proxies, sources say.

It was decided to take up lining work from 0.00 km to 18.20 km of the primary canal of Telugu Ganga and from 18.200 km to 42.566 km of the work which remained incomplete in the past.

Similarly, it was also decided to take up lining work which remained incomplete from 0.00 km to 7.380 km on the link channel which supplied water from Banakacherla Cross Regulator (BCR) to Velugodu balancing reservoir. As per the directives issued in 2007, the total estimated cost of these works was Rs.172.99 crore.

On March 9, 2018, the government issued orders putting the estimated cost to Rs. 180.48 crore, but with pressure mounting from the top, the officials, reportedly bowing to diktats, hiked the estimated costs to Rs. 280.27 crore. Orders were issued to this effect on June 8, 2018.

The officials issued a notification on July 16 in the LS Open Mode, modifying the regulations to ensure that the contract was given to CM Ramesh-owned Rithwik projects and gave the firm 18 months to complete the works, it is learnt. On July 31, the technical bids were opened. Two other firms were in the fray along with Rithwik projects.

It has been pointed out privately by officials in the Water Resources department, that though Rithwik Projects did not have the requisite experience they submitted certificates claiming they did. Competing bidders also pointed this out, and said that Rithwik Projects had submitted false eligibility certificates it is learnt. They are learnt to have complained to officials in this regard.

It was also pointed out to officials that Rithwik Projects had got work related to Bansagar canal in Mirzapur and Allahabad districts by sub-contractors, but submitted documents stating that it had got the work done. Competing bidders sought action against Rithwik Projects on this count. On August 6, officials opened the price bids.

Rithwik bid for L-1 contract at 2.88% excess and a competitor bid for L-2 at 3.61% excess, while HES bid for L-3 at 4.31 excess. While the stage was being set for handing over the contract to CM Ramesh's firm, with media reports out in public domain, the tenders were cancelled.

On January 14, a fresh tender notification was issued for completion of Telugu Ganga primary canal works at an expenditure of Rs. 239.03 crore and the conditions were bent to suit CM Ramesh's firm. The stage has been set to hand over works to CM Ramesh at 4.85% excess.

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