Walk out over Home Minister 'silence'

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, MARCH 13. The BJP members staged a walkout in the Assembly on Tuesday, in protest against the Home Minister's refusal to give a clarification on the activities of `foreigners and foreign organisations' in the old city and police inaction in arresting the culprits involved in last Friday's disturbances.

The Speaker, Ms. Pratibha Bharati, earlier steadfastly refused to allow a discussion on the subject as the Home Minister had already made a statement and conventions could not be flouted. Moreover, a meeting of the Floor Leaders had discussed the issue and opinions noted. The BJP could at best state whether it was for or against a discussion, she said.

The BJP members, led by Mr. N. Indrasena Reddy, disrupted the proceedings for 15 minutes during zero hour, which forced the Speaker to adjourn the House for a short while. Later, when the House assembled, the BJP members continued raising slogans insisting on the same demand.

They argued that the House had earlier discussed unimportant issues. Attacks on journalists were also discussed. Here was a case where a press photographer was assaulted by hooligans, who resorted to stone-throwing based on a false report published in a Urdu daily, which, later, appeared as a wall poster, he said.

People had every right to know what transpired behind the scenes, hence a discussion would be proper, Mr. Indrasena Reddy argued. On Monday, the House was allowed to discuss the issue of Durgi faction killings, he said. Likewise, a discussion on anti- national elements was necessary, he said.

The Minister for Legislative Affairs, Mr. Y. Ramakrushnudu, citing Constitutional provisions, said promotion of internal peace and harmony must be the aim of any discussion and sensitive issues could not be taken up. Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Dr. M.V. Mysoora Reddy of the Congress supported the contention and said discussion over statements must not become a convention.

The Home Minister, earlier, stated that two persons had been arrested in connection with the issue and five cases booked. As the matter was of sensitive nature that could lead to trouble outside, it was not proper to discuss the issue. He urged the BJP members not to provoke the people.

Pollution-causing industries

Earlier, the Minister for Roads and Buildings, Mr. K. Vijayarama Rao, assured to look into the issue of pollution- causing industries in Chandrayangutta area. Mr. Akbaruddin Owaisi, MIM, sought closure of the polluting industries.

Lecturers' salary arrears

In response to the demand of Mr. A. Vivekananda Reddy of the Congress and Mr. Dharma Rao of the BJP that striking lecturers of aided colleges be given salary arrears and other benefits such as career advancement, the Minister for Higher Education, Mr. K. Ramachandra Rao, assured immediate action.

The CPI(M) member, Mr. N. Narsimhaiah, raised the issue of professional tax on hairdressers and compared it to the once dreaded `Jijiya' imposed in the past by Moghul rulers and pleaded for its withdrawal.

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Section  : Southern States
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