TDP, BJP stage walkout in AP Assembly

Hyderabad, Mar 15: Members of the TDP and BJP today staged a walkout in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, protesting non-implementation of various irrigation projects in the State, while the CPI(M) registered its protest over the issue.

Dissatisfied with Major Irrigation Minister P Lakshmaiah's reply during the Question Hour, TDP Legislature Party Deputy Leader T Devender Goud led his party members out of the House in protest 'against the non-implementation of major irrigation projects, including the Pranahita-Chevalla Project, which would benefit the Telangana Region even while proceeding at a swift pace in the implementation of Pothitreddypadu Project benefitting Rayalaseema.' Mr Goud said the Congress Government was allegedly indicted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for inflating the internal benchmark of Yellampalli Project.

He also found fault with the ruling Congress for not stopping Maharashtra from implementing the Babli Project, which, he said, would turn the lands irrigated by the Sriramsagar Project into a desert. BJP Floor Leader G Kishan Reddy also walked out of the House protesting the delay in taking up the Pranahita-Chevala Project. CPI(M) Floor Leader N Narasimaiah registered his party's protest over the ''slow'' implementation of irrigation projects in Telangana.

Denying the Opposition charge, Mr Lakshmaiah said that it was not proper to turn a question relating to a irrigation scheme into a general discussion on irrigation projects.

Earlier, replying to a question, the Minister said tenders for the Pranahita-Chevalla Project, which would provide water to 12.20 lakh acre and drinking water to 700 villages at a cost of Rs 17,875 crore, would be finalised soon. The project was under study and would take four years to complete, he added.

UNI