TDP stages walkout in AP Assembly over 'Jalayaganam'

Hyderabad, Feb 20 (UNI) Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today staged a walkout in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly to protest against the execution of irrigation projects allegedy by ''blacklisted'' sub-contractors.

Dissatisifed with Major Irrigation Minister P Lakshmaiah's assurance to the House during Question Hour to hold inquiry if specific instances were brought to his notice, TDP Legislature Party Deputy Leader N Janardhan Reddy led his party colleagues out after alleging that over 30 to 40 per cent of the funds allocated for irrigation projects had been swindled by ruling Congressmen in collusion with contractors.

The TDP leader demanded that the government should agree to constitute a House Committee to look into implementation of irrigation projects.

Claiming the allegation as ''baseless,'' the Minister said sub-contractors were approved only by the bid accepting authority as per the engineering procurement and construction(EPC) contract system. The contractors were not competent to sublet the works, he added.

UNI SM GM RAR KN1942