Opposition stages walkout on irrigation, SEZ issues

Hyderabad, Dec 21 (UNI) Members of the Opposition TDP, TRS, CPM and CPI today staged a walkout from the Andhra Pradesh Assembly during the Question Hour, protesting against the government attitude on negligence of irrigation projects in Telangana region and allocation of farm lands to Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

While the TRS and CPI(M) members walked out of the House alleging that the government was neglecting irrigation projects in the backward Telangana region, TDP staged a walkout alleging that the land being allotted to the SEZs in the state was being used for real estate business for construction of holiday and entertainment resorts.

TRS Floor Leader G Vijaya Rama Rao said while the government was taking up the Polavaram project that would benefit the coastal area on warfooting, it was neglecting the Ichampalli project meant to benefit the Telangana region.

Denying the allegation, Major Irrigation minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah said the Polavaram project had been taken up as there was no inter-state problems whereas the Ichampalli project could not be taken up as it had inter-state ramifications.

He assured the member that the government was trying to sort out the Ichampalli issue in consultation with the other states concerned.

The Minister said the issue of the Polavaram project was raised before the Supreme Court on environmental aspects and the apex court had appointed an Empowered Committee which had already submitted its report.

The matter would come up before the Supreme Court in January.

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