Cong condemns Oppn for stalling proceedings in Assembly

Hyderabad, Feb 23 (UNI) The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) today strongly condemned the Opposition for stalling the proceedings of the Assembly for the second consecutive day today and forcing its adjournment without transacting any business.

Talking to mediapersons, Government Chief Whip N Kiran Kumar Reddy and MLAs Ramana Rao and Sailajanath said the opposition had forced the adjournment of the House yesterday, protesting against raids conducted on 'Margadarsi Financiers' (owned by a media baron) with due authorisation from a court of law and describing raids as an attack on the media.

The opposition today forced the adjournment of the House on GO 938, which proposed legal action against media for defamatory and baseless reports, even after it was withdrawn, Mr Reddy said.

He pointed out that CPI(M) floor leader Nomula Narasimhaiah had yesterday, suggested that the 'Margadarsi' issue could be discussed under rule 304 and the government had readily accepted it.

Though the issue was listed for discussion today, the Opposition, which created ruckus in the House yesterday on the matter, had not facilitated discussion and stalled the proceedings on another issue today.

The Congress government was ready for discussion on any issue permitted by the Speaker, he said adding that though the GO 938 was withdrawn, the government had agreed for a debate on it as suggested by the Speaker.

Mr Kiran Kumar maintained that the Congress held the media in high esteem and would not infringe on its rights.

Stating that a Bill, which went through stringent procedure, including approval by the Cabinet, was withdrawn during the TDP regime in 1984, the Chief Whip said withdrawal of a GO was nothing before the withdrawal of a Bill.

The Chief Minister ordered withdrawal of the GO as soon as it came to his notice, he said.

When asked why such an important GO was not brought to the notice of the Chief Minister or the Government before it was issued, he said the government had ordered an inquiry on the matter.

UNI