Cong. stalls proceedings, stages walk-out

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 13. Congress (I) members staged a walk-out in the Assembly on Tuesday protesting against the attitude of the Government and the Speaker, Mrs. K. Pratibha Bharathi, in preventing a discussion on irregularities in gas allocation to Konaseema Oakwell EPS Power Limited.

They stalled normal proceedings of the House for 30 minutes demanding resumption of the debate on the controversy which caused an uproar on March 2 and 3 with Congress (I) members alleging that the Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr. G. M. C. Balayogi, exerted influence in favour of Konaseema Oakwell.

However, the Minister for Finance, Mr. Y. Ramakrishnudu, as well as the Speaker thwarted the attempts of the Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, to reopen the subject because the debate was conclusively finished and the Government had given a full-fledged reply.

As the Speaker was in no mood to relent, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy led his partymen to a walk-out but not before criticising the Government and Mrs. Pratibha Bharathi on the ground that they were unconcerned when the power sector was sustaining a loss of Rs. 800 crores due to irregularities committed by Konaseema Oakwell.

The Opposition Leader's remarks on the Speaker drew strong protests from the Revenue Minister, Mr. P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who wanted Mrs. Bharathi to suo motu refer the matter to the Privileges Committee of the Assembly. He said Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy had cast a reflection on the Chair and clearly committed a breach of privilege. The Speaker declined to oblige the Minister saying that she left the matter to the good sense of the Opposition Leader. The Home Minister, Mr. T. Devender Goud, said Congress (I) members were trying to blow the alleged irregularities out of proportion and trying to reopen an issue that was closed on March 3.

Earlier, immediately after zero hour, Congress (I) members were on their feet engaged in an argument with the Speaker over reopening the debate. Mrs. Pratibha Bharathi replied that she was convinced that the debate had concluded on March 3 and, in fact, the MIM and CPI(M) members had staged a walk-out protesting against the Government's reply.

Claiming that the debate had not ended, Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy said his party was in possession of several new facts on the issue such as the Centre questioning the State Government's recommendation for gas allocation to Konaseema Oakwell. He said AP TRANSCO had sustained a loss of Rs. 400 crores due to the deal last year and was poised for a similar loss in the current year.

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Section  : Southern States
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