Tempers run high in Telangana Assembly during discussion on State’s liabilities

"We have discussed the State finances and loans about eight times. If the House is being run like this, one can imagine how the State administration is being run," Owaisi said

Hyderabad: Tempers ran high in the Assembly on Thursday during a short discussion on “Outstanding liabilities of the State” with members from the BRS, BJP and AIMIM questioning the failure to follow the business finalised for the day.

After a tea break, the House proceedings commenced at 2 pm with Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka listing out the government’s welfare and development programmes. After a few minutes, AIMIM Floor Leader Akbaruddin Owaisi intervened and sought to know about with Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar about the business.

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As per the business finalised for the day, it was question hour, papers to be laid, government bills and followed by short discussion. But in contrast, the short discussion was being taken up, sidelining the Bills and papers, he said.

“We have discussed the State finances and loans about eight times. If the House is being run like this, one can imagine how the State administration is being run,” Owaisi said.

The Speaker has the authority to decide the business of the House. But, Members have to be informed about the business so that they prepare, he stressed, adding that “It is a Parliamentary practice and let us follow it. Speaker should come to the rescue of Members.”

Echoing a similar opinion, BRS MLA and former Minister T Harish Rao said ten minutes before the session was to commence, he had enquired with the Assembly Secretary about the agenda.

“The Secretary said he would check and get back,” Harish Rao said, reminding that in the past, he used to personally approach the Opposition Members and inform them about the changes, if any, in the business. On the contrary, we are approaching the Whips and officials about the agenda,” he said.

BJP floor leader A Maheswar Reddy also raised objection about the change in the business as it would hamper the members’ preparation.

Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu said the Speaker has the right to decide the House business and Members had to follow the same.

“At times, it happens due to communication gaps, members might not have been informed. As State finances is an important issue, we gave priority to the same and took it up for discussion,” Sridhar Babu defended.

When opposition Members demanded that the Treasury should apologize, the Legislative Affairs Minister argued on how the Speaker could apologize to Members.

“If there is any error, as Legislative Affairs Minister, I will definitely admit,” he further said.

Amidst these heated arguments, the Speaker announced that he had given permission for the short discussion on outstanding liabilities.