Assembly Stalled Land Fracas

The irregular and controversial land allocations that were made during the earlier Congress regime, again shook the state Assembly on Monday, with the main opposition cornering the treasury benches by continuing their demand for a probe by a Joint Legislature Committee (JLC).

The ruling Congress once again made light of the opposition's demand for a Joint Legislature Committee on the irregularities of the land allotted to the associates of Y S Jaganmohan Reddy during former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's rule. Consequently, the main opposition raised slogans against the government and stormed the Well of the House.

Monday was the 4th day in succession that the government rejected the opposition's demand that a JLC look into the land irregularities.

Replying to their poser, Major Industries Minister Geetha Reddy ruled out the possibility of such a probe without first debating on the subject. She also said that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) regime had begun the allotment of land to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the pretext of development.

"When the TDP allotted land to SEZs it was called 'development', and when we did it, they (the opposition) call it corruption," she pointed out.

She also accused TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu of encouraging big business houses to invest in SEZs. Chandrababu Naidu had written letters to Rahul Bajaj and others to encourage their investments in AP, Dr. Geetha Reddy pointed out. She clarified that the SEZs have solved unemployment problems of thousands of graduates who had been struggling to find jobs.

Senior TDP leader Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu pointed out that the Rosaiah government had also assured that it would make a similar 'statement' on the cited issue in the past, but never kept its word. The TDP MLA said that they have lost faith in the government, and demanded nothing short of a JLC probe.

The TDP members blamed the government for indiscriminately allotting land to one and all. Stating that the SEZs were never alloted so freely anywhere else in the country, the TDP asserted that it was their duty to protect public property.

Earlier, as soon as the House assembled, it witnessed noisy scenes as the TDP Members trooped into the Well of the House and raised slogans to call for a JLC probe on the irregular land allocations.

Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar pleaded with them to utilize the listed Question Hour, and cooperate with the Chair.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) members demanded a discussion on the welfare of the weaker sections.

Minister For Legislative Affairs Duddilla Sridhar Babu said it was not proper on the part of the TDP to demand a JLC when the government had assured that it would make a statement on the said subject.

Yet, the opposition legislators were firm on their claim. Finding disorder on the Floor, the Deputy Speaker adjourned the House for half an hour.

When the Assembly met again, the Chair was forced to adjourn for another short break as the main opposition members raised the pitch on the floor for a JLC.

As the last resort, the Deputy Speaker invited the opposition leaders to his Chambers to find a solution to conduct the scheduled proceedings. In spite of his attempts to start the prescribed Question Hour, the opposition revived their demand when the House sat again. The Deputy Speaker had no alternative except adjourning the House for the day.

Courtesy: INN