The Hindu : Speaker hosts breakfast

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 16, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Speaker hosts breakfast

By Our Special Correspondent

The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, sharing a lighter moment with the CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, at the breakfast hosted by the Speaker, K. Pratibha Bharati.

HYDERABAD July 15. The Speaker, K. Prathibha Bharati, hosted breakfast to the Chief Minister, his Cabinet colleagues and floor leaders of Opposition parties before the Assembly began its monsoon session here on Monday.

The occasion provided leaders of the Government and the Opposition to interact informally and indulge in light-hearted banter, setting aside party philosophy and ideology.

Nomula Narasimhaiah and S. Rajaiah of the CPI(M) turned up in blazing red shirts. Finding the Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and the Leader of the opposition, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, interacting freely at the breakfast table, Mr. Narasimhaiah told them, "For once, you seem to be on the same side.'' The reference was obviously to the support of the TDP and the Congress for the presidential candidate, APJ Abdul Kalam. The two left party leaders voted for Lakshmi Sahgal.

In a healthy gesture, the Chief Minister waited in the foyer of the Jubilee Hall until Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy arrived. The two shook hands and headed for breakfast.

The Minister for Finance and Legislative Affairs, Y. Ramakrushnudu, other Ministers, N. Indrasena Reddy, the BJP floor leader, J.C. Diwakar Reddy, D. Srinivas (Congress), the Chief Secretary, K. Swaminathan, and other officials attended.

Plea for relief to ryots: The CLP deputy leader, J.C. Diwakar Reddy, utilised the occasion to highlight the plight of farmers. He requested the Chief Minister to extend the deadline for one-time settlement of the cooperative loan arrears due from farmers, which is to expire on July 27.

Dr. Reddy argued that the farmers were unable to raise money for repaying the principal amount by the deadline due to drought last year and unfavourable seasonal conditions this kharif.

The Congress leader pleaded that the deadline be extended to December- end. Under the scheme announced some time ago, farmers repaying the principal by July 27 are entitled for waiver of all accumulated interest on their outstanding loans.

Mr. Diwakar Reddy also urged the Chief Minister to bring pressure on the Centre to raise the import duty on cocoons to help the local sericulture farmers. He said locally produced cocoons were priced at Rs. 180 per kg but the imported ones from China were selling at Rs. 70 to Rs. 80 per kg. This had hit the sericulture farmers badly. About a lakh acres in Anantapur, Chittoor and Cuddapah district is under mulberry cultivation.

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