The YSR Congress has expressed concern that the report on the stampede at Rajamahendravaram during the Godavari Pushkarams last year was yet to see the light of the day.
The stampede resulted in the death of 30 people, and the committee appointed by the government ought to have submitted its report by last month-end.
YSR Congress spokesman K. Parthasarathi said that the District Collector mentioned in his report that the stampede took place as the Chief Minister set aside protocol and took a dip at the general ghat instead of the VVIP ghat. This resulted in blockade of the entire area. The sudden surge in the number of pilgrims led to the tragedy.
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On the upcoming Krishna Pushkarams, he said that the government was allotting works on nomination basis in the last minute, and this gave scope for large- scale corruption. The construction of Kanakadurga ghat, for instance, was taken up just a month ahead of the commencement of the pushkarams though the administration knew about the dates of the event well in advance.
“This exposes the manner in which works are being awarded to a favoured few at exorbitant rates,” he alleged.
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He advised the government to seek release of more Krishna water from the Krishna River Management Board in view of the mega event.