The Telangana cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on Monday decided to hand over the report of the Justice (retd) Madan B. Lokur Commission of Inquiry to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The commission had investigated alleged irregularities in the power purchase agreement (PPA) and the construction of the Bhadradri and Yadadri thermal power plants during the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government's tenure.
Key Cabinet Decisions
The cabinet also approved the implementation of enhanced land values from the last week of May under the HILT policy. It clarified that existing land values would apply to industrial landowners who submit applications before the revised rates take effect. Additionally, a one-time settlement (OTS) scheme was approved, enabling government departments to clear pending dues related to property tax and drinking water bills owed to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Malkajgiri and Cyberabad Municipal Corporations, as well as the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
Details of the Lokur Commission Report
Briefing the media along with ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Adluri Laxman Kumar, and Vakiti Srihari, Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy said the Lokur Commission had submitted its 114-page report to the government in October 2024. He explained that on January 4, 2025, the cabinet had decided to seek the Advocate General's opinion on the next course of action. After examining the report, the Advocate General conveyed his suggestions, which were deliberated upon in Monday's cabinet meeting.
Given that the case involves interstate aspects and central public sector undertakings, the cabinet concluded that entrusting the investigation to the CBI would ensure impartiality. Officials have been instructed to expedite the necessary procedures, Srinivas Reddy said.
Non-Disclosure of Findings
The Congress government had not made the findings of the report public since its submission. During the briefing, the minister also refrained from disclosing specific details of the commission's conclusions. The Lokur Commission had examined the 1,000 MW PPA signed with the Chhattisgarh government in 2016, along with the construction of the Bhadradri (4x270 MW) and Yadadri (5x800 MW) thermal power plants.
Other Decisions
The minister further noted that the cabinet had decided to actively pursue the long-pending Kaleshwaram project investigation with the central government and the CBI. He said the revised land values, including rationalisation measures, would come into effect in the last week of May. This marks the first revision in four years, with the previous revision having taken place in February 2022 under the BRS government.
Srinivas Reddy added that compensation for land acquired for government projects—such as irrigation and road development—would also increase, ensuring better returns for farmers and landowners. The cabinet also extended flexibility under the HILT policy. Applicants who apply before the revised land prices take effect will be allowed to pay an initial 10 per cent while retaining the current land value. The remaining 90 per cent must be paid within 90 days.
