Reconsider Bramhani deal, orders Speaker

The Speaker, Mr N. Kirankumar Reddy, on Wednesday directed the government to reconsider its decision to favour M/s Bramhani Steels located in Kadapa district.

This comes after the Opposition found fault with the Government Order allowing the private firm to draw water from the Mylavaram reservoir throughout the year, while the public sector Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project (RTPP) was denied the same privilege.

The ruling party was taken aback when the Speaker gave a ruling preventing Mr Ramachandra Reddy, MLA from Rayadurg and the director of Bramhani Steels from participating in the debate.

Earlier, the Telugu Desam chief, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, took strong objection for allowing Bramhani to draw water from Mylavaram reservoir whereas RTPP was asked to lay pipeline from the Brahmamsagar by spending Rs 165 crore.

“This is blatant misuse of power. While public money is being wasted by AP Genco to lay pipeline, the Bramhani management has been allowed to save Rs 400 crore by giving them water from the nearest source,” alleged Mr Naidu.

The minister, Mr Ponnala Laxmaiah, made it clear that no favour was extended to Bramhani project at the cost of RTPP and asserted that the government will give top priority to power generation.