Opposition stages walkout

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, MAY 24. The DMK and the PMK staged a walkout in the Pondicherry Assembly today even as the Chief Minister, Mr. P. Shanmugham, who holds the Finance portfolio, was going ahead with the presentation of the Budget of the new Government.

Within minutes of Mr. Shanmugham reading out the text of the Budget proposals, the DMK members led by Mr. R. V. Janakiraman rose to seek clarification as to what was the policy the coalition ministry was adopting in respect of the uniform sales tax. They insisted this be clarified first before the budget was presented.

The CPI(I) member, Mr. M. Manjini, also joined the walkout.

Mr. S. Ramsingh (PMK) walked towards the podium of the Speaker Mr. A. V. Subramanian, and raised objection to the discrepancy seen in the strength of the Assembly. He later told presspersons that whereas the statutory strength of the House was 33, the Assembly had 34 members now and without the legal position being clarified, the presentation of the Budget would not be proper. After having a heated argument with the Chair, Mr. Ramsingh walked out of the House.

Noisy scenes gripped the proceedings for sometime. With the entire Opposition's row of seats vacant after the members walked out, the presentation of Budget proposals was listened to with rapt attention by the members belonging to the ruling block.

Mr. R. Rajaraman (JD-U) also staged a walkout to protest against the ``lack of a firm stand on the part of the coalition ministry on the uniform sales tax issue.''

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Section  : Southern States
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