AP Council adopts Appropriation Bills

Hyderabad, Mar 29 (UNI) The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council today adopted by voice vote the Appropriation Bills after the Opposition TDP staged a walkout, protesting against the government's 'failure' to provide replies for their mentions in the House.

Council Chairman A Chakrapani put the Appropriation Bill for 2008-09 and the (Supplementary) Appropriation Bill to vote following a detailed discussion after the members of the main opposition TDP staged a walkout.

Replying to the debate, Finance Minister K Rosaiah said the government had given priority for health, education and welfare sector besides earmarking funds for the various developmental activities.

He said the state government was able to introduce surplus budget for the last three years and stood number one in the country in increasing the plan expenditure.

He said the government would launch the Rs-2-a-kg rice scheme from Ugadi and extend the pension scheme to cover over 60 lakh beneficiaries in the state.

Earlier, participating in the debate, TDP leader D Veerabhadra Rao alleged that the government was selling the government lands without looking into the future needs for the public purpose.

He said it was the responsibility of the government to protect the government lands, including the lands in municipalities and corporations.

He alleged that though the state was getting wealth due to economic reforms, it was only confined to some section of the people. The results of the wealth were not reaching the poor people, he further alleged.

However, the Minister, while refuting the TDP's allegations, said the government was committed to the welfare of the poor people and overall development of the state.

UNI BR VA LS AS1700