TDP disrupts proceedings in assembly

Hyderabad, Mar 25 (UNI) The Telugu Desam Party today stalled the proceedings during Zero Hour in Andhra Pradesh assembly demanding security for its leader Satish Reddy who had unsuccessfully contested against Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy from Pulivendula.

Speaker K R Suresh Reddy adjourned the House for a brief period as his appeal to the main opposition party not to disrupt the proceedings fell on deaf ears.

When the House reassembled after ten minutes, Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy alleged that the previous TDP Government had not argued the case relating to the murder of the Chief Minister's father Y S Raja Reddy, in which Satish Reddy was an accused.

He said it was not fair to seek security for a person who had ''misused'' the gunmen provided to him by ''snatching the gun and killing two farmers'' on the eve of the last Municipal elections.

Leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu challenged the Government to hand over both the cases the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The trouble started when TDP Legislature Party Deputy leader N Janardhan Reddy, making a special mention, claimed that Satish Reddy was facing a threat to his life from the Chief Minister's son.

The ruling party members staged a noisy protest.

Even as the Speaker maintained that he would not allow a full-fledged debate, the TDP members were on their feet raising slogans against the Government.

Later, Home Minister K Jana Reddy announced that the Security Committee, constituted under a direction from the High Court, would look into the demand for provision of security on receipt of application from the TDP.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the TDP for taking away his time, TRS member Govinda Naik, who made a mention on agency areas, lamented that the provision under Schedule V of the constitution that only tribals should contest polls to local bodies was followed in breach. Only six per cent of the seats were allocated to the Girijans in various elections, including polls to coooperative bodies.

Tribal Welfare Minister Redya Naik promised to examine and take appropriate action.

Expressing concern over ''inordinate'' delay in shifting of the Ayurvedic college from the Nizamia city college, AIMIM Floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi demanded appointment of lecturers with knowledge of Urdu to teach Unani in the college.

Health Minister K Rosaiah promised to ensure shifting of the Ayurvedic college and take steps for the appointment in consultation with the Ayush Commissioner.

As the TRS member Srinivas Reddy urged the Government to take urgent steps to arrest the soaring price of cement, Civil Supplies Minister N Raghuveera Reddy promised to do the needful.

UNI