Date:12/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/12/stories/2008021254050400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Assembly session till March 27

Special Correspondent

Budget on Feb. 16, Appropriation Bill to be passed on March 27

Photo: Mohd.Yousuf

Awesome twosome: Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu shaking hands with Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, during the breakfast hosted by the Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy, on Monday. Legislative Council Chairman Chakrapani, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah are seen.

HYDERABAD: The budget session of the Assembly which commenced on Monday would continue till March 27.

The programme was finalised at the Business Advisory Committee meeting of the Assembly shortly after the House was adjourned. The budget would be presented on February 16 and the Appropriation Bill passed on March 27. Sources said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere, attended by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu and leaders of all other parties. The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) was not represented as the party staged a walkout shortly after the Governor started addressing the joint session of the Assembly and Council.

Opinion divided

It was said the political parties were divided in their opinion on the practice being followed for taking up notices of adjournment motion given by them to discuss matters of urgent interest in the House. The Congress, CPI and the BJP wanted the notices to be considered after the question hour while the CPI (M) and the Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) sought Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy to continue the present practice of taking them up before the question hour. The TDP informed the Speaker that it would convey its opinion later. The issue was raised by CPI floor leader Chada Venkat Reddy following a letter written by the Speaker to all parties seeking their opinion on the issue.

Mr. Naidu was said to have suggested to the Speaker to prolong the business of the House beyond 1.30 p.m.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister and Mr. Naidu exchanged pleasantries at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Speaker for floor leaders in the Jubilee Hall.