Rejecting the demand of the opposition to appoint a House Committee, Minister For Mines Balineni Srinivas Reddy on Monday denied that there were any irregularities in the granting of the mining lease to Rakshana Steels, leading to pandemonium in the Legislative Assembly and forcing the house to adjourn till the evening session.
The uproarious scenes began immediately after Srinivas Reddy began to answer the question posed by CPI member K Sambasiva Rao, who sought details over the granting of mining rights to Rakshana Steels.
Addressing the house, Srinivas Rao said that the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation was permitted by the state government to ink an agreement with Rakshana Steels Limited, for the supply of iron ore. This ore was to be used in the company's proposed integrated steel plant.
The Mining Minister said that the state government's nod came on certain terms and conditions approved by the high-powered committee. Srinivas Rao refuted the opposition's charge of any irregularities in the granting of mining leases.
He accused the Opposition of 'mud-slinging', and rejected the setting up of a House Committee over the issue.
As soon as Srinivas rejected the House Panel demand, bedlam broke out, with members of the TDP and the Left parties rushing into the well of the house and raising slogans.
The agitated members said that the mining lease was granted to Rakshana Steels since it belonged to former chief minister late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's son-in-law, Brother Anil Kumar.
Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar was forced to adjourn the House for the evening.