Telangana Assembly set for stormy monsoon session from Saturday

The Telangana Assembly monsoon session begins Saturday, with the Congress and BRS preparing for heated debates on the Kaleshwaram project report, BC reservations, urea shortage, and flood damage. The government is expected to table the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on Monday

Hyderabad: The Telangana Assembly is bracing for a stormy session commencing on Saturday. Both the ruling Congress and the main opposition BRS have drawn battle lines for discussions on the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram project, BC reservations, heavy rains and floods, and the urea shortage among others.

Governor Jishnu Dev Verma has summoned the Legislative Assembly and the Council to convene at 10.30 am on Saturday. The first day of the session is likely to be adjourned after paying tributes to Jubilee Hills MLA Maganti Gopinath, who passed away recently. The session is expected to resume on Monday.

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Later, the Business Advisory Committee meeting will be chaired by the Speaker to decide on the number of working days and issues to be taken up during the session. Sources indicated that the House may sit for three to four days, with the Cabinet scheduled to meet after the opening session. Another Cabinet meeting is also scheduled for the evening.

The key issue during the monsoon session will be the Justice PC Ghose Commission report on the Kaleshwaram project in both the Houses. The government is expected to table the voluminous 650-page report on Monday. During a recent hearing in the Telangana High Court, the State government promised a comprehensive discussion, allowing all parties to present their views.

While the ruling Congress is determined to corner the BRS on the alleged irregularities, the BRS too is fully prepared to counter. Heated exchanges are expected to disrupt discussions throughout the session. Sources suggested that Harish Rao will lead the BRS counter, with KT Rama Rao and G Jagadish Reddy stepping in. BRS leaders have already petitioned the Assembly Secretary, demanding access to the Commission report, the opportunity to make a presentation, and adequate time for debate.

Another key issue expected to be taken up during the session will be the 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in local body elections. Amid recent political deliberations, the government appears inclined to issue a Government Order (GO) granting the quota, as attempts to secure Presidential assent for BC Reservation Bills and ordinances sent for the Governor’s approval have failed. While some legal experts warned that the GO could face challenges in court for breaching the 50 per cent ceiling, the ruling Congress is learnt to be inclined to push ahead.

Besides the BC reservations issue, the main opposition BRS is also planning to raise concerns over the urea shortage, heavy rains and flood damage, and pending electoral promises among others.