Efforts of the Narendra Modi government to flush out black money received all out support of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly which passed a resolution in this regard on Tuesday. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who moved the resolution, described black money and corruption as cancer which affected every citizen. They weakened market economy and undermined efforts of the government to reduce poverty.
Hailing the initiative of the Modi government, Mr. Naidu said his government would provide support for eradicating the menace of black money. He also appreciated the efforts of anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare. People who stashed away money in foreign banks ran a parallel economy using the money in elections, Mr. Naidu remarked. He further stressed the need for bringing political, economic and administrative reforms.
While supporting the resolution, Opposition leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy said that black money was in full play during the recent elections. He took the names of ‘big boss’ and Hasan Ali, a broker accused of money laundering, drawing protests from the treasury benches. It would have been better if the Chief Minister had spoken about the ING case and the booklet brought out by the Community party titled “Babu zamana, aviniti khazana”, Mr. Jagan said. Finance Minister Y. Ramakrishnudu said it was strange that Mr. Jagan, who was jailed, was talking about corruption. There was no point in digging out old issues. However, the government was prepared for a full-fledged discussion on corruption, he said.
Mr. Naidu intervened and said if anyone had any information on corrupt practices, they should share it with the government and the concerned agencies. His government was for rooting out corruption and bringing transparency in the system. “We wish to see a corruption-free India,” he said.
Earlier, the House passed a resolution condoling the death of 24 students of VNR Vignan Jyothi Engineering College. It also recorded its deep sense of sorrow at the demise of former MLAs G. Narasaiah, M. Narayana Swamy, Ch. Vaman Reddy, Ch. Rambhoopal Reddy, K. Govinda Rao, T. Chenchaiah, Syamala Rao, K. Laxmareddy, Aale Narendra, G. Mukunda Reddy, Masala Eeranna, Seetharamamma, Dr. N. Janardhan Reddy and G. Narsimulu Naidu.
In another resolution, the House hailed the feat of Malvath Poorna (13) and S. Anand Kumar (17) who scaled Mt. Everest, world’s tallest peak.
