Date:01/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/01/stories/2008120155320600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Winter session of A.P. House likely to be stormy

Special Correspondent

Opposition to raise issues like SEZs, arbitrary land allotments

Other issues include corruption in high places, poor financial health
Opposition says five days inadequate to take up vital issues

HYDERABAD: The short winter session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly commencing on Monday is expected to be stormy with the Opposition planning to corner the government on a host of issues.

The Opposition has decided to raise issues such as ‘corruption in high places’, ‘clean chit’ given to the government by the Public Accounts Committee on Yellampally project in the absence of the Chairman, deteriorating financial health, arbitrary land allotments and Special Economic Zones. The session will be held just for five days. On the first day, the House will adjourn after paying homage to former Prime Minister V.P. Singh and mourning the victims of Mumbai’s terror strikes.

Opposition charge

Following a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on Sunday where the agenda was decided, the Opposition leaders accused the government of trying to “run away” from debate as the five-day session was “grossly inadequate” to take up important public issues. They have demanded that the session be extended to at least 15 days but this was rejected.

TDP deputy leaders Y. Ramakrishnudu and N. Janardhan Reddy, CPI (M) floor leader Nomula Narsimhaiah, his CPI counterpart Chada Venkat Reddy, TRS floor leader E. Rajender and BJP MLA G. Kishan Reddy attended the BAC meeting. They alleged that the “token session” was convened for passage of Bills including the amendment to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act to enable the government to borrow loans for tiding over the financial crisis.