Former Minister and environmentalists allege corruption in Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project
Former Minister K.S. Eshwarappa and environmental groups have alleged corruption in the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project in Karnataka. They claim the project received payments despite lacking necessary environmental clearances and a court-ordered stay.
Why it matters
The allegations raise significant concerns regarding government transparency, environmental compliance, and the handling of public funds in infrastructure projects.
Rashtrabhaktara Balaga, founded by former Minister K.S. Eshwarappa and Parisarakkagi Naavu, a forum for environment, have alleged large scale corruption in the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project and demanded a CBI inquiry into the affairs.
In a press conference in Shivamogga on Friday, Mr. Eshwarappa alleged that the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), the project implementing agency, was yet to obtain clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change for the project. Karnataka High Court had also stayed the works of the project on the ground. However, the KPCL had already paid ₹380 crore to the Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited, the company that bagged the contract of the project.
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