Hyderabad: The alleged irregularities in execution of Mission Bhagiratha works rocked the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. The Congress staged a walkout from the House after the government refused to constitute a House Committee to inquire into the alleged irregularities. Congress senior MLA Komatireddy Venkat Reddy accused “Andhra contractors” of looting Rs 10,000 crore by letting subcontracting the work to others against norms. He also alleged that TRS leaders colluded with the contractors and were receiving kickbacks.

However, municipal minister K.T. Rama Rao ridiculed the charges and said the government was adopting transparent procedures in awarding contracts and was ready to face a CBI, vigilance commission or any other inquiry. Mr Venkata Reddy said that he had already complained to vigilance commission, CBI etc and would move courts against the government to expose the huge corruption.

“There is no question of letting you get away on this issue. I will explore all legal options to expose the corruption in Mission Bhagiratha,” Mr Venkata Reddy said. He said that Andhra contractors are securing contracts by bribing TRS leaders. “Instead of doing works on their own, they are subcontracting the work to Telangana contractors. Our contractors are investing lakhs and crores by securing loans with the hope that they will get profits. But Andhra contractors are not making payments due to which our contractors are suffering huge losses and are caught in debt trap. They are running after Andhra contractors for payment and thinking of committing suicide,” Mr Venkata Reddy said.

He dared Mr Rao to constitute a House Committee to bring out the facts. The minister responded by saying, “When you have decided to approach CBI, vigilance, courts etc, where is the need for House Committee? We are ready to face any inquiry. We have done nothing wrong. We are not bothered about tenders and contracts like you. We are people-oriented, not contractor-oriented.”

Mr Rao said “Mission Bhagiratha is a gigantic task to provide purified drinking water to every household in the state through taps by 2018. It already turned a role model for all states. Don’t try to obstruct this noble project for your selfish political gains.” Mr Venkata Reddy also charged the government with allowing contractors to loot another Rs 5,000 crore in the name of laying optic fibre cable along with Mission Bhagiratha pipelines to provide Internet connectivity to all. “Substandard works are being done for optic fibre project, which are laid just a few inches deep and cannot last long. Even the pipes and cables being used are of poor quality,” he said.