Harish Rao alleges ₹18,000 crore irregularities in HAM tenders

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA T. Harish Rao alleged a massive ₹18,000-crore irregularity in road works awarded under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) in Telangana, accusing the Congress government of manipulating tenders and facilitating commissions.

Speaking informally to reporters in the Assembly lobbies along with former minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy, he alleged that ₹12,000 crore worth of works pertain to the Roads & Buildings (R&B) department and ₹6,000 crore to the Panchayat Raj department.

He claimed that 10% mobilisation advances have been provided in these contracts, amounting to around ₹1,800 crore upfront and alleged that the funds were being diverted for political purposes, including elections in other States.

This is not jalayagnam but dhanayagnam, he alleged.

The BRS leader alleged that while national highway tenders across the country typically go 20–30 per cent below estimated cost, the present HAM road tenders in Telangana were awarded at 15–20 per cent above estimates, leading to a 50% variation. He also claimed that the usual 5% ceiling on tender excess has been removed under the present government, allowing contractors to quote higher rates.

According to him, out of 34 tenders floated across the State, 24 have been opened so far, and in 16 of them - only two bidders participated, indicating alleged cartelisation.