Opposition stalls proceedings on MSP

Hyderabad, Nov 6 (UNI) The winter session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, which began on a stormy note today with the opposition parties stalling proceedings on MSP for paddy, will be held till November 20.

The Business Advisory Committee (BAC), which was revived after a gap of 22 years, met under the Chairmanship of A Chakrapani to finalise the agenda for the third session of the Council and decided to take up eight subjects for discussion, including hike in MSP for paddy.

Talking to newspersons here today after the BAC meeting, state Information and Public Relations Minister A Ramanarayana Reddy said the House would not sit from November 8 to 11, on account of Deepavali, and on November 17 and 18. However, it would function on November 19 and 20, he added.

He said the 'Jalayagnam' Programme, functioning of local bodies, problems in higher education, service rules, 'Indiramma Pathakam', Health and 'Arogya Sree' scheme, power supply and welfare were the other issues which would be discussed during the short session.

Leader of the opposition in the Council Daadi Veerabhadra Rao (TDP) said they urged the Chairman to give more time for the members to raise issues in the House, instead of giving to the ministers for their replies.

He said sufficient time should be given to them to discuss thoroughly the Bills to be introduced by the government on November 16 and 19.

The TDP leader said the issue of MSP for paddy should be treated as a priority for discussion in the House.

UNI