TDP stalls Assembly proceedings over allocation for weaker sections

Hyderabad, Mar 19 (UNI) The main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) today stalled the proceedings in Andhra Pradesh Assembly for some time today in protest against the ''inadequate'' allocation for the welfare of weaker sections in the budget.

The trouble started as soon as the House assembled for the day when Speaker K R Suresh Reddy disallowed the adjournment motion notices by the TDP, CPI and CPI(M) on the issue.

Agitated TDP members were on their feet, demanding setting aside of the regular business and taking up of the burning issue.

The Speaker made repeated appeals to the opposition members to resume their seats and raise the issue during the debate on demands for grants for various departments.

Criticising the opposition for moving an adjournment notice on the issue which the House was to take up for discussion later in the day, the government Chief Whip N Kirankumar Reddy urged the Speaker to stop the practice of reading the adjournment motion notices by opposition parties in such a situation.

The opposition members vehemently protested against the Chief Whip's attitude and said it was their right to move adjournment motions.

Evading a direct reply on enhancing the budgetary allocation, Finance and Legislative Affairs Minister K Rosaiah said now the budget was before the House and it was for the opposition to propose increase in budgetary allocation for any department or move cut motions.

TDP leader Y Ramakrisnadu accused the Finance Minister of adopting double standards and said he took a different stand when the TDP questioned the Congress government for announcing loan waiver for weaker sections without making necessary budgetary allocation, saying that it was his responsibility to ensure necessary funds for the purpose.

UNI SM VA1724