(Image source from: Thehansindia.com)
AP Govt Slammed By CAG On Pattiseema Irrigation Irregularities:- The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) slammed the AP Government for handling the key irrigation project of the state, Pattiseema Irrigation Project. CAG found irregularities in issuing the contract of the Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Scheme (PLIS). CAG slammed the state government calling it an improper planning of the project. A series of CAG reports have been tabled in the AP Assembly recently on the audit findings for the year 2015-16. AP Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu named Polavaram project as the first one that links Godavari and Krishna rivers in the country.
The canal system lacked adequate carrying capacity because of which 11 of the 24 pumps of Polavaram have been operated during the floods in July and September 2016 revealed the auditor. This happened due to improper planning and the life of the project was taken as 20 years in the detailed report. But the project is only contemplated to run till the completion of the project in 2019 and this reveals that the life of Polavaram would be only three years.
Even the government estimated cost crossed by 21% and the revised estimate crossed over Rs 1600 crores which is huge. CAG also revealed that there have several unwarranted changes in the construction methodology of Polavaram project.
