Congress members staged a walkout in the Legislative Council here on Monday alleging that the State government was in denial mode about increasing atrocities on dalits.
The question raised by Leader of Opposition Mohd Ali Shabbir and Deputy Leader Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on the growing atrocities and brutal treatment meted out to dalits by police was dismissed by Home Minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy as no such incidents had taken place.
When the members demanded that a House Committee be appointed to look into the issue and they raised the police brutality on dalits in Sircilla district, the Home Minister said Congress leaders were making motivated allegations as the district was represented by Minister K.T. Rama Rao.
The Home Minister later shared that 1,224 cases of SC, ST atrocities were registered in 2014, 1,379 in 2015 and 1,618 in 2016. The Minister retorted that the TRS was giving maximum benefits to dalits and it was during Congress regime, atrocities had taken place against dalits.
Vigilance inquiry sought
Congress Member Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy has demanded a comprehensive inquiry into modernisation of Paleru Old Canal works in Khammam district.
Alleging that the tender workers called for Rs.49 crores were finalised for Rs.65 crore in violation of World Bank norms, he said large scale deviations and violations had taken place in the tender. The project director was continued for years in spite of violations, Mr. Sudhakar Reddy said and offered to resign from his post if he was proved wrong. Responding to the Question, Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao clarified that Paleru canal was neglected by the previous governments and its ayacut came down from 14,447 acres to 8,000 acres.
The TRS government took it up and completed the work in four months and would provide water to 20,000 acres in the Rabi. Even last mile farmer would get water now.
The Minister said he would share the quality control report with the members and full ayacut under the Left Canal would be given water by June next. He however assured the member if he shared additional information, he would inquire into alleged violation of norms.
The Council Chairman earlier rejected the adjournment motion moved by Congress leader Mohd Ali Shabbir on implementation of fee reimbursement scheme.
