Unruly scenes mark budget presentation in Council

Leader of Opposition Srinivas accused the KCR govt of going against convention by presenting the Budget on the first day without allowing the Opposition to raise burning issues.

The presentation of the maiden Budget of Telangana State for 2014-15 by Deputy Chief Minister Rajaiah in the Legislative Council on Wednesday was marked by protests and unruly scenes by Opposition members resulting in a brief disruption to the speech.

When Mr.Rajaiah rose to present the Budget soon after the House gathered, the Congress and Telugu Desam members registered their protest by displaying placards seeking a statement first on farmers’ suicides, power crisis, students’ agitations and other pressing issues in the State.

At one stage as chaos prevailed, with the Opposition members raising slogans and moving into the well of the House drowning the voice of the Deputy Chief Minister, Chairman Swamy Goud allowed Leader of Opposition Srinivas to spell out his demand.

As the Minister briefly halted his speech, Mr.Srinivas said that going against the conventions, the Government chose to present the Budget on the very first day of the session without allowing the Opposition to raise burning issues in the State such as farmers’ suicides. Let the government first come out with a statement on the serious problems, he said.

But egged on by treasury benches, Mr.Rajaiah resumed his speech ignoring the Chairman’s direction ,even as Mr.Srinivas said the House was not in order and the Chairman’s words were not being heeded.

Telugu Desam member A.Narsa Reddy also demanded a statement on farmers’ suicides as the Deputy Chief Minister continued his speech amidst the din and slogan shouting by the Opposition benches.

As he ended his speech, the Opposition members rushed into the well and tore copies of the budget speech and threw them into the air, while the Chairman adjourned the House to Friday.