CBI sleuths grill government officials

HYDERABAD: After private companies, it is the turn of government officials to face questions from CBI sleuths in the case pertaining to Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s funding sources. Several officials who were in crucial positions during the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy regime are under the CBI scanner for allegedly doing favours to some companies that in turn invested in businesses owned by Jagan Mohan Reddy.CBI joint director V V Lakshminarayana called on chief secretary S V Prasad Tuesday and sought and secured formal permission to examine files and documents pertaining to various projects and proposals that were approved during the tenure of Rajasekhara Reddy.“We will examine documents pertaining to the case over the next a few days. We may also question the officials concerned,” said Lakshminarayana. He evaded an question about possible arrests in the case but hinted that any such action will be taken only after completing the investigation.Sources said CBI officials are seeking information from the departments of revenue, industries, irrigation, mines, infrastructure and investments, information technology, municipal administration, finance and general administration. Apart from land allotments, CBI sleuths are looking for information pertaining to mining leases, incentives and permissions to industries, irrigation contracts and projects taken up under the public-private partnership mode. They also want information on projects that were given cabinet approval. “An intimation has been circulated to the departments concerned to cooperate with the CBI officials who plan to questions officers and employees at all levels,” said a senior IAS officer. Sources said the sleuths are planning to launch searches in all departments on the day after Ganesh Chaturthi. The departments have been asked to keep information ready. Apart from files, the laptops of officers and departmental computers will be examined.Tuesday’s meeting between the chief secretary and CBI joint director is giving jitters to senior officers who were in key posts during the Rajasekhara Reddy regime. They are worried that their names might be dragged into the controversy.