Hyderabad: The monsoon session of Telangana Legislative Assembly, which began on Thursday will last only three days and conclude on Sunday. This was decided by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) prior to the commencement of the session. The government agreed to increase the duration by a day, if required.
During the BAC meeting, the Congress demanded a 20-day session in order to discuss important matters. The BJP with three legislators was not invited.
On the first day of the session, the House paid homage to Secunderabad Cantonment MLA G. Sayanna, who died in February. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao moved the condolence motion, which was adopted unanimously. The House was then adjourned.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka pointed out that the House needs to discuss recent heavy rains and floods in several districts, losses suffered by people and farmers due to inundation, Dharani portal issues, TSPSC question paper leak, unemployment and rising prices of vegetables. This, he said, needed 20 days of elaborate discussion, he told the BAC.
However, finance minister T. Harish Rao rejected the demand saying that the opposition parties should look at the duration of working hours for which the session will be held every day instead of focussing on working days.
BJP member Etala Rajendar expressed anger at speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and the government for not inviting them to the BAC meeting.
"In the undivided Andhra Pradesh all parties, including those with a single member, used to get invitations for the BAC meeting whereas in Telangana, a party with three members is being barred. This is outright discrimination," Rajendar alleged.
He also took exception to denial of office accommodation for the BJP legislature party. "There are several vacant rooms in the premises yet they have not allotted an office to BJPLP. We are forced to sit in Nizam Club for our meetings," he said.
