BRS walks out from Assembly on denial of retirement benefits issue

BRS legislators staged a walkout from the Telangana Assembly protesting the government’s response on employee dues and alleged irregularities in rice exports to the Philippines. The Opposition demanded a House Committee probe and clarity on retirement benefits and pending DA arrears.

Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) staged a walkout from the Assembly in protest against the Congress Government’s failure to give a clear assurance over payment of retirement benefits and pending DAs. The BRS also staged a protest in the House over the Government’s response on rice exports to Philippines.

During question hour in the Assembly, BRS member T Harish Rao charged that there was a big scam in the rice exports to Philippines. He sought a clear reply from the government over the status of 7500 metric tonnes of rice stock lying in the Kakinada Port for one year.

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Despite NAFED, a central government organization expressing its willingness to make advance payments for rice exports, the Congress government had offered the contract to a private agency he charged. He sought to know why tenders were not floated and whether the contract was offered on a nomination basis.

On the appointment of a person accused in different CBI and ED cases as a Government advisor, he sought an explanation over his appointment. “We demand constitution of a House Committee into these irregularities,” Harish Rao demanded.

Replying to Harish Rao, Civil Supplies Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy charged that the BRS member was leveling false and baseless allegations. The mnister argued that the Government advisor in question was in no way connected to the rice exports contract to Philippines; However, the Government did not reply to the query on the appointment of the Advisor.

On the issue of pending arrears of Rs. 1200 crore to the farmers for Yasangi crops, the BRS MLA Palla Rajeshwar Reddy sought a clear cut answer from the Governemnt, but no specific reply was offered by the Civil Supplies Minister. The minister had however, assured that the government was committed to protect farmers interests.

While, the BRS memberHarish Rao insisted on House Committee on the alleged irregularities in rice exports, the Civil Supplies Minister wanted constitution of a House Committee on irrigation projects taken up by the BRS government.

Later, when the BRS Legislators wanted clear announcement on payment of retirement benefits, pending DAs, and medical bills payment to employees, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka said monthly Rs.700 crore was being released to clear employees bills.

He also assured that retirement benefits and pending DAs would be offered at the earliest. Raising protest over the Congress government’s failure to reply on their questions, the BRS legislators staged a walkout from the Assembly.