Savitha’s Remarks on Ganja Addiction Kicks Up Row in Council

 Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council witnessed uproarious scenes on Friday over the remarks of backward classes minister S. Savitha that money transferred to women and youth of economically weaker sections by YSR Congress government had led to a section of youth and women getting addicted to ganja in the state.

Following the remarks of the minister, opposition members stood up and started protesting. They demanded that Savitha apologise for her remarks.

Council chairman Koyye Moshen Raju also expressed displeasure over the remarks and wanted them removed from the records.

This did not satisfy the opposition members who trooped into the well of the house, demanding that the minister apologise to women for her remarks. They started continuously raising slogans “Minister, down, down.” Following this, the chairman adjourned the council for a brief period.

When the council session resumed, Moshen Raju announced that the remarks of the minister should be removed from the records if found objectionable.

Leader of opposition Botsa Satyanarayana said the minister’s remarks have targeted YSR Congress and demanded that they be removed from the council records.

Minister Savitha clarified that she did not utter any objectionable words. She said she had referred to a section of women and youth who had been getting addicted to ganja, as they got money under the welfare scheme, with no opportunity for self-employment. She made it clear that she did not target only women from economically backward classes.

With this, the council members calmed down and the chairman proceeded with the scheduled business for the day.