Date:25/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/25/stories/2006082511130400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

State ready for the worst: YSR

Special Correspondent

`Law being readied to recover cost of damage caused to RTC buses during protests'

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has said that the Government is prepared for any eventuality in the event of protests by the TRS turning violent.

Reacting to the adjournment of the Assembly for the second day in a row following a noisy protest by TRS members on Thursday, Dr. Reddy said that there was a laid-down procedure to discuss any issue and creating a ruckus was not the way. Faulting the members' behaviour, he said: "The Assembly must be used in a proper manner to send across one's message."

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana said the Government was drafting legislation to empower it to recover the cost of damage caused to APSRTC buses during protests and agitations.

Targeting RTC buses

He lamented RTC buses were being targeted time and again during protests but often culprits had managed to go scot-free. Once the legislation came into force, parties or individuals responsible for the violence would be liable to pay the damages to the RTC, he observed.

Home Minister K. Jana Reddy ridiculed the call given by some TRS leaders for boycott of Congressmen. He said people would decide whom they should boycott. The Government was geared up to tackle any situation, he added.

Meanwhile, G. Chinna Reddy, convenor, Telangana Regional Congress Coordination Committee (TRCCC), said that development was key to Telangana issue.

The matter had been left to AICC president Sonia Gandhi and it was best that everyone wait for her decision. He said the TRCCC would consult APCC chief K. Keshava Rao on organising a meeting to discuss the latest political developments.