Hyderabad, March 31 -- Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil on Monday sparked a political debate in the Rajya Sabha by remarking that over Rs 1 lakh crore spent by the Telangana government on the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project has effectively "gone down the drain."

His remarks came during the Question Hour while responding to queries on the project's current status and demand for national project status.

Centre's role limited to technical appraisal: Patil

Replying to questions raised by BJP MP K. Laxman and BRS MP KR Suresh Reddy, Patil clarified that the Centre's role in the project was restricted to technical evaluation.

He stated that the Telangana government approached the Centre for appraisal after spending around Rs 30,000 cr...