• The Telangana Assembly witnessed intense debate over the PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project.
• The commission found serious irregularities in the design and construction of the mega project, which was aimed at providing irrigation and drinking water by lifting water from the Godavari River.
• Initially estimated at ₹38,500 crore, the project cost escalated to more than ₹1.10 lakh crore by 2022. It involved the construction of three barrages at Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla, along with reservoirs for water distribution. The commission held former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and senior officials accountable for lapses.
• The government is expected to announce follow-up measures based on the report’s findings in the coming days.