Opposition stages walk-out

Puducherry, Nov 5 (UNI) The Opposition AIADMK and MDMK members staged a walk-out from the territorial Assembly, protesting against the Speaker's refusal to admit an adjournment motion to discuss the issue of smuggling of rice via Puducherry.

As soon as the House assembled this morning, Speaker R Radhakrishnan invited the Ministers to lay the papers in the House.

Mr Anbazhagan was on his feet seeking to admit his adjournment motion to discuss the smuggling of rice, to which the Speaker said the member need not talk issues concerning with other states and he should resume his seat.

Eventhough Mr Anbazhagan continued to insist, the Speaker paid no attention and Industries Minister V Vaithilingam and Chief Minister laid their papers in the House.

Protesting against the refusal of the Speaker, Mr Anbazhagan along with the other two AIADMK members and a lone MDMK member staged a walk out.

Later, in a statment Mr Anbazhagan said the PDS ration rice was smuggled into Puducherry and from there it was sent to other states including Andhra Pradesh and Maharastra.

Since several states and the Railway also were involved in the smuggling, an adjournment motion was submitted to discuss the issue in the House and also to recommend a CBI probe. As it was not admitted, the party staged a walk out.

UNI