‘Release white paper on Polavaram’

ELURU: Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief Pawan Kalyan on Thursday demanded the Andhra Pradesh government to release a white paper on the Polavaram project.Speaking to reporters after visiting the Polavaram project, the actor-politician said that it is common to face the allegations of irregularities and corruption when the government is carrying out such a big project. However, it is the duty of the government to come clean on the allegations, he said. The Polavaram project may not be completed by 2019 as announced by TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, he said after inspecting the project. 

The Jana Sena chief interacted with engineers at the project site and sought details of the project. He also visited spillway, rock-fill dam, diaphragm wall of the project.  Superintending Engineer V S Ramesh Babu and other engineers explained the project details to the Janasena chief. 
“I do not understand why the State government fears to show the money spent on the Polavaram project when asked by the Centre. It should show the expenditure as to enable the Centre to release funds for the project,” Pawan stated. 

“Pawan also urged the State government to convene an all-party meeting to explain the present position of the Polavaram project. Pawan also urged the State government to question the Centre without any fears on the Polavaram project as it is the lifeline of the State. On Naidu’s comments on handing over the project to the Centre, Pawan said, “Your (Chandrababu) statement is misguiding the people. It will send wrong signals,” he said, adding that the project is not belongs to any party. 

“It is the people’s project. The project will play a vital role in the next elections,” said Pawan Kalyan.  
Govt will take all steps to complete the project: CM On a day when the opposition YSRC leaders and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan made a visit to the Polavaram project site, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has alleged that the YSRC has no clarity over the project and it has been creating hurdles to the multi-crore project by approaching courts and instigating farmers against land acquisition.

Wondering over the opposition parties’ demand to release a white paper on the Polavaram project even as the State government is publicising the details of project almost every day, he observed that there will be no use with taking the all party delegation to New Delhi as the opposition parties have their own agenda and ulterior motives.“If they (opposition parties) come positive, I don’t have any objection to take them to Delhi. But not for creating a fresh controversy,’’ Naidu said. 

Speaking to newsmen here on Thursday after returning from South Korea, the Chief Minister said that people of the State are anxiously waiting for completion of the project and the government will put all efforts to complete the project on time.Admitting that the works of the Polavaram project have been going at a snail’s pace for the last three months, he, however, said that the contractor was responsible for the delay, not the Centre.