Oppn forces adjournment on power shortage

Hyderabad, Dec 21 (UNI) The Opposition today forced adjournment of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly soon after it met for the day following a demand for a debate on the adjournment motion on power shortage and farmers' plight.

Pandemonoum prevailed when members with placards trooped into the well of the House and raised slogans demanding adequate power supply to farmers.

Soon after the House met, the Speaker K R Suresh Reddy announced he was disallowing Adjournment Motion on various issues on which notices have been given by the parties.

Speaker K R Suresh Reddy told Opposition members a discussion on drought situation had been pending as members were wasting valuable time of the House every day.

He said the issue was listed in the business even today and they could raise the issue of power supply during the debate. He lamented the unnecessarly chaos leading to valuable time being wasted.

''We cannot waste public money like this,'' he quipped.

Intervening, Minister for Finance and Legislative Affairs K Rosaiah admitted there was power shortage and said the Government was making all efforts to overcome the problem.

He appealed the members to allow the debate on drought situation during which the Opposition could discuss power shortage.

''If you come forward with any valuable suggestions, we will follow,'' he assured them.

However as the opposition did not relent and allow the House to take up the Question Hour, the Speaker adjourned the proceedings for 15 minutes.

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