YSR and finance minister Rosaiah keep their vool in Assembly
0 commentsThe Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, and the finance minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, were unusually sober and accommodating in the Assembly on Thursday apparently to run things smoothly.This was a sea change from Wednesday when there was a heated discussion over the proceedings. The ruling party seems to have deliberately decided to keep a low-profile to help run the House.
The Opposition, except for the Telugu Desam, responded positively to this display of sobriety by the ruling party. MLAs of the Opposition were particularly surprised when the ever-aggressive Mr Rosaiah also tried his best to be cordial.He kept his cool even when there was a chance to criticise the main opposition party, the TD and its president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu. The Chief Minister, who also never misses an opportunity to make sharp remarks on Mr Naidu, maintained restraint throughout his hour-long speech on the 9-hour power supply to the farmers.
The TD members continued to heckle him but the Chief Minister did not lose his cool and pleaded with them to give him a chance to explain the government stand. “This is not fair on the part of the main Opposition,” said Dr Reddy.“They level allegations on the government and at the same time do not allow us to explain our version. This is unfair
AP Home Minister Sabitha Reddy no poltical motive in Kovvur MLA
0 commentsAsserting that there was no ’ulterior’ motive behind the arrest of TDP MLA T V Rama Rao in connection with a sexual assault case, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister P Sabita Reddy today made it clear that the law would take its own course’’.
The Minister was making a statement in the Assembly when the arrest of Rao for allegedly outraging the modesty of two girl students from Kerala, was raised in the House under rule 344 by Mr M Narasimhulu and other TDP members.
He contended the Congress government had foisted the case against him as he was a ’’Dalit MLA’’ and refused to switch over to the ruling Congress from the TDP.Alleging that the TDP member was trying to shield himself by attributing political motives, the Minister denied the charge that the Congress had resorted to political vindictiveness as Mr Rao did not join the ruling party.
Investigations were being done by the police impartially as per the law, she added.
Praja rajyam party Celebrated its first anniversary
0 commentsActor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi vowed to bring in organisational changes and plug loopholes in his Praja Rajyam Party (PRP), which celebrated its first anniversary Wednesday.The celebrations were a low-key affair with Chiranjeevi unfurling the party flag at the party headquarters in Jubilee Hills here in the presence of a few PRP leaders and workers.
Speaking on the occasion, he admitted that the party failed to achieve the expected results in the recent elections and this had caused some disappointment.The party, launched by the superstar at a massive meeting in Tirupati on this day last year, could win only 18 seats in the 294-member assembly, though it was confident of coming to power. The PRP drew a blank in the Lok Sabha elections held simultaneously in April this year.
Chiru, as the actor is popularly known among his fans, advised the party cadre not to lose heart and work hard to strengthen the party.’Our party polled 17 percent votes. This is not a small thing,’ he said.
’There were some problems due to which we could not win the expected number of seats. We will plug these loopholes and work to strengthen the party. There will be major organisational changes in the party,’ he said.
Chiranjeevi recalled that people aspired for change and he floated the party following a strong demand from the people. Referring to a series of resignations by several PRP leaders, he said those who could not fulfil their selfish goals left the party.
’The key personalities responsible for the establishment of the party are still with the PRP,’ he said.Chiranjeevi claimed that he enjoyed people’s support as evident from the huge response during his visit to Visakhapatnam a couple of days ago. He was confident that the PRP would win the Tekkali assembly seat, the by-poll for which will be held next month.
Speaking on the occasion, he admitted that the party failed to achieve the expected results in the recent elections and this had caused some disappointment.The party, launched by the superstar at a massive meeting in Tirupati on this day last year, could win only 18 seats in the 294-member assembly, though it was confident of coming to power. The PRP drew a blank in the Lok Sabha elections held simultaneously in April this year.
Chiru, as the actor is popularly known among his fans, advised the party cadre not to lose heart and work hard to strengthen the party.’Our party polled 17 percent votes. This is not a small thing,’ he said.
’There were some problems due to which we could not win the expected number of seats. We will plug these loopholes and work to strengthen the party. There will be major organisational changes in the party,’ he said.
Chiranjeevi recalled that people aspired for change and he floated the party following a strong demand from the people. Referring to a series of resignations by several PRP leaders, he said those who could not fulfil their selfish goals left the party.
’The key personalities responsible for the establishment of the party are still with the PRP,’ he said.Chiranjeevi claimed that he enjoyed people’s support as evident from the huge response during his visit to Visakhapatnam a couple of days ago. He was confident that the PRP would win the Tekkali assembly seat, the by-poll for which will be held next month.
State told to come clean on KG Basin gas issue
0 commentsTDP Politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu on Tuesday sought an explanation as to why the State Government failed to bid for D 3 and D 9 blocks of Krishna-Godavari basin, which came up for auction recently and, to exert pressure on the Central Government for allocation of a fair share of gas discovered in the D 6 block, which was successfully tapped by the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) instead of some government enterprise like the ONGC.
The State Government alleged that the Telugu Desam Party’s inability to float a Special Purpose Vehicle to utilize the D 6 gas, when it was in power, resulted in a loss of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore to the exchequer. The TDP did not establish a firm as it could not invest the people’s money in the project which was mired in uncertainty at that time. The oil and natural gas reserves were identified in 2000 but exploration and production commenced much later.
What did the Congress Government do when it had confirmed source (of gas) in the K-G basin and why it proposed the A.P Gas Infrastructure Corporation so long after the dispute between Ambani brothers became a public issue?, Mr. Ramakrishnudu asked.
Addressing media persons at the party office here on Tuesday, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said it was a ‘joint conspiracy’ of the Central and State Governments that helped RIL exploit the natural resource in such a manner that none of the governments derived any benefit from the mega project.
The Central Government has the responsibility to disclose details of the production sharing contract signed with RIL. What the people of Andhra Pradesh wanted a reasonable share of the gas from the Central Government’s share if not from the total production. But, the Central Government maintained stoic silence while the State Government was still trying to understand the basics of natural gas business.
The State Government should come clean on three issues - royalties, allocation of gas and transit charges. The Government of Iran was collecting transit charges on different gas pipelines criss-crossing its territory whereas the Andhra Pradesh was just watching gas being freely transported through huge pipelines to various corners of India.
Both Central and State Governments needed to clear people’s doubts instead of slinging mud on TDP which did everything to secure the State’s share in D 6 gas except floating the SPV. The entire content of New Exploration and Licensing Policy should be put in the public domain, Mr. Ramakrishnudu added.
The State Government alleged that the Telugu Desam Party’s inability to float a Special Purpose Vehicle to utilize the D 6 gas, when it was in power, resulted in a loss of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore to the exchequer. The TDP did not establish a firm as it could not invest the people’s money in the project which was mired in uncertainty at that time. The oil and natural gas reserves were identified in 2000 but exploration and production commenced much later.
What did the Congress Government do when it had confirmed source (of gas) in the K-G basin and why it proposed the A.P Gas Infrastructure Corporation so long after the dispute between Ambani brothers became a public issue?, Mr. Ramakrishnudu asked.
Addressing media persons at the party office here on Tuesday, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said it was a ‘joint conspiracy’ of the Central and State Governments that helped RIL exploit the natural resource in such a manner that none of the governments derived any benefit from the mega project.
The Central Government has the responsibility to disclose details of the production sharing contract signed with RIL. What the people of Andhra Pradesh wanted a reasonable share of the gas from the Central Government’s share if not from the total production. But, the Central Government maintained stoic silence while the State Government was still trying to understand the basics of natural gas business.
The State Government should come clean on three issues - royalties, allocation of gas and transit charges. The Government of Iran was collecting transit charges on different gas pipelines criss-crossing its territory whereas the Andhra Pradesh was just watching gas being freely transported through huge pipelines to various corners of India.
Both Central and State Governments needed to clear people’s doubts instead of slinging mud on TDP which did everything to secure the State’s share in D 6 gas except floating the SPV. The entire content of New Exploration and Licensing Policy should be put in the public domain, Mr. Ramakrishnudu added.
Cheif Minister YSR tells banks to lend Rs 7,100cr
0 commentsChief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy on Monday asked banks to disburse Rs 7,081 crore crop loans to farmers by August month-end so that the total lending to farmers this kharif matches the target of Rs 14,100 crore.
Interacting with bankers and urging them to review the drought condition in the state and increase credit flow to agriculture, the chief minister directed the departments concerned to co-ordinate with the bankers for a solution.Reddy said good rainfall in the past few days was an encouraging sign for farmers, who have gone in for alternative crops.
"More than 50% of the lending (for kharif 2009) has taken place in the past 20 to 25 days and banks have disbursed Rs 7,019 crore crop loans till August 15," Reddy said.President of State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) R S Reddy in his inaugural address expressed optimism that bankers would not have any major problem in achieving the total target of Rs 14,100 crore for kharif 2009 by September.
He asked the agriculture department to advise their officers to send identified farmers with proper documents in a phased manner to the bank branches so that early disbursals could be ensured.Regarding cooperative farming, the banks have sought time to study the concept, the SLBC president said.
Anantapur district was top in the list of maximum loan amount disbursed to farmers. A total of Rs 982.5 crore has been disbursed since April 1 this year against a target of Rs 1,140.5 crore. Other districts where loans disbursal targets were more than Rs 1,000 crore include West Godavari and Guntur, but only 55% of the target could be achieved as on Aug 15.
Interacting with bankers and urging them to review the drought condition in the state and increase credit flow to agriculture, the chief minister directed the departments concerned to co-ordinate with the bankers for a solution.Reddy said good rainfall in the past few days was an encouraging sign for farmers, who have gone in for alternative crops.
"More than 50% of the lending (for kharif 2009) has taken place in the past 20 to 25 days and banks have disbursed Rs 7,019 crore crop loans till August 15," Reddy said.President of State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) R S Reddy in his inaugural address expressed optimism that bankers would not have any major problem in achieving the total target of Rs 14,100 crore for kharif 2009 by September.
He asked the agriculture department to advise their officers to send identified farmers with proper documents in a phased manner to the bank branches so that early disbursals could be ensured.Regarding cooperative farming, the banks have sought time to study the concept, the SLBC president said.
Anantapur district was top in the list of maximum loan amount disbursed to farmers. A total of Rs 982.5 crore has been disbursed since April 1 this year against a target of Rs 1,140.5 crore. Other districts where loans disbursal targets were more than Rs 1,000 crore include West Godavari and Guntur, but only 55% of the target could be achieved as on Aug 15.
Telugu Desam Party wants evening assembly session
0 commentsA TDP delegation called on speaker N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Monday urging him to start more evening assembly sessions this week so that all postponed questions and demands for grants could be taken up elaborately.
The delegation felt that several new MLAs did not get a chance to debate on issues and evening sessions would encourage more legislators to participate in the debate on demands for grants. "There is very little time left during this session. We urged the speaker to have more number of evening sessions so that all postponed questions and demands for grants could be taken up," a TDP member said.
They also asked him to include in short discussion issues like the arrest of Kovvur SC MLA T V Rama Rao and regulations on media in the Assembly lobbies. Some of the members in the delegation included Nagam Janardhan Reddy, P Keshav, Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu and M Narsimhulu.
Meanwhile, chief whip Bhatti Vikramarka called on Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday seeking his views on the proposed evening session. It is learnt that Naidu expressed himself in favour of evening sessions for at least four to five days.
The chief whip told Naidu that he would convey his message to the Speaker and the government.
The delegation felt that several new MLAs did not get a chance to debate on issues and evening sessions would encourage more legislators to participate in the debate on demands for grants. "There is very little time left during this session. We urged the speaker to have more number of evening sessions so that all postponed questions and demands for grants could be taken up," a TDP member said.
They also asked him to include in short discussion issues like the arrest of Kovvur SC MLA T V Rama Rao and regulations on media in the Assembly lobbies. Some of the members in the delegation included Nagam Janardhan Reddy, P Keshav, Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu and M Narsimhulu.
Meanwhile, chief whip Bhatti Vikramarka called on Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday seeking his views on the proposed evening session. It is learnt that Naidu expressed himself in favour of evening sessions for at least four to five days.
The chief whip told Naidu that he would convey his message to the Speaker and the government.
Andhra Pradesh Assembly adjourned for 15 minutes
0 commentsThe Andhra Pradesh Assembly was adjourned for a while today when members of the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) stormed into the Well of the House to protest diversion of Central funds granted under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) and alleged largescale irregularities in the implementation of the INDIRAMMA programmes.
Even as Chief Minister Y S Rajasekahra Reddy, intervening during Question Hour, maintained that there was no diversion of IAY funds, leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu demanded constitution of a House Committee to look into alleged misappropriation of Central funds and alleged gross irregularities in implementation of INDIRAMMA programmes.
As the Chief Minister brushed aside the TDP’s demand, agitated party members rushed towards the Speakers podium.When repeated appeales to the TDP members to go back to their seats fell on deaf ear, Speaker N Kirankumar Reddy adjourned the House for 15 minutes.
Even as Chief Minister Y S Rajasekahra Reddy, intervening during Question Hour, maintained that there was no diversion of IAY funds, leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu demanded constitution of a House Committee to look into alleged misappropriation of Central funds and alleged gross irregularities in implementation of INDIRAMMA programmes.
As the Chief Minister brushed aside the TDP’s demand, agitated party members rushed towards the Speakers podium.When repeated appeales to the TDP members to go back to their seats fell on deaf ear, Speaker N Kirankumar Reddy adjourned the House for 15 minutes.
3 MIM legislators suspended from Andhra assembly
0 commentsThree legislators of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) were Monday suspended from the Andhra Pradesh assembly for a day for stalling proceedings of the house.Speaker N. Kiran Kumar Reddy announced the suspension of three legislators, including floor leader of the party Akbaruddin Owaisi, and declared that he would not tolerate any indiscipline in the house.
Ahmed Pasha Khadri and Virasat Rasool Khan were the other MIM legislators suspended.Legislative Affairs Minister K. Rosaiah had initially moved a motion to suspend Owaisi. But when two other other party legislators present in the house strongly protested and rushed towards the speaker’s podium, the minister rose again to urge the speaker to suspend them too.
The trouble began during question hour when Owaisi wanted an opportunity to speak on the Indiramma housing scheme for the poor. When the speaker denied him the opportunity, the MIM leader entered into an argument with him and alleged that he was not being treated with respect.
"You can’t misbehave. I will not allow indiscipline as long as I am speaker," said Kiran Kumar Reddy. Despite repeated appeals, Owaisi refused to get back to his seat. The speaker asked Owaisi to apologise for his misbehaviour, and when he refused to do so, the minister moved a motion to suspend him.
This is the first time that the speaker has suspended legislators of MIM, considered an ally of the ruling Congress party.MIM, a strong political force in the state capital, has seven members in the 294-member Andhra Pradesh assembly.
Ahmed Pasha Khadri and Virasat Rasool Khan were the other MIM legislators suspended.Legislative Affairs Minister K. Rosaiah had initially moved a motion to suspend Owaisi. But when two other other party legislators present in the house strongly protested and rushed towards the speaker’s podium, the minister rose again to urge the speaker to suspend them too.
The trouble began during question hour when Owaisi wanted an opportunity to speak on the Indiramma housing scheme for the poor. When the speaker denied him the opportunity, the MIM leader entered into an argument with him and alleged that he was not being treated with respect.
"You can’t misbehave. I will not allow indiscipline as long as I am speaker," said Kiran Kumar Reddy. Despite repeated appeals, Owaisi refused to get back to his seat. The speaker asked Owaisi to apologise for his misbehaviour, and when he refused to do so, the minister moved a motion to suspend him.
This is the first time that the speaker has suspended legislators of MIM, considered an ally of the ruling Congress party.MIM, a strong political force in the state capital, has seven members in the 294-member Andhra Pradesh assembly.
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