TDP in hurry to cover-up shortfalls: Jagan

Hyderabad, Sept 6 (INN): Criticizing the way the assembly proceedings were conducted and the resolution on BC Welfare was tabled, Leader of Opposition YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that the TDP government was only trying to take cover under the resolution only to escape the pointed questions on its failure to fulfill the poll promise of loans waiver of farmers and DWACRA women groups.

'Contrary to the established norms of giving prior notice with sufficient time to table and adopt any resolution, TDP was in a tearing hurry and rushed through the resolution on the last day without giving enough time for debate and discussion on the resolution and the Appropriation Bill as it wanted to run away from being questioned on the failure to waive the loans of farmers, women groups and weavers,' he told reporters after the assembly was adjourned sine die.

The resolution was brought in only to take shield and preempt the awkward situation the State would face when its failures are being highlighted. The norms of 10 days notice to table a resolution were ignored and with the aid of Speaker's discretionary powers the BC Welfare resolution was tabled.

This is not a new resolution. A similar one was adopted when YSR was Chief Minister way back in 2008 demanding the Centre to enact a law ensuring 33% reservations to BCs, a separate ministry for BC Welfare among other such measures.

'The sudden rush of love towards BCs is only to cover up the loan waiver failure. Chandrababu Naidu was never in favour of BC Welfare. It was YSR who has worked for the welfare of BCs and to elaborate this, the Opposition was not allowed to speak out which is against the parliamentary democracy.

I was denied mike and no debate took place on the resolution before being adopted and this is like a 'Kaurava Sabha'(101 members full of evil designs). We wanted to tell that it was during YSR term that BCs were benefitted most but our voices were gagged by a hostile house which has no respect for democracy but is interested only in one-upmanship,' he said.

The treasury benches were trying to bulldoze the opposition saying that the opposition members are inexperienced. TDP founder leader NTR too was a political greenhorn, who is now being idolized by TDP. We are learned people and we are in the know of things.

BCs benefitted most with the fees reimbursement scheme, of the total 27 lakh beneficiaries 14 lakhs are BCs. When it comes to housing, during YSR term 42 % of the beneficiaries are BCs. He has also provided insurance to livestock. BCs have a lion's share in all the welfare schemes of YSR, including Aarogyari and pensions.

NTR has given Rs 2 kg rice when the market price was Rs 2.63 per kg. YSR gave rice at Rs 2 per kg when the market price was Rs 28 which quantifies the amount of subsidy given by both the leaders.

Chandrababu Naidu has time and again announced that he will be giving 100 seats to BCs but he never kept up the promise. During 2004 TDP allotted 44 seats and with all the allies put together it rose to 66 seats while YSR-led Congress has given 73 seats. The situation was no different in 2009. In the recent election he has given four seats more that what we have given as our list was out first, the YSRCP President said.

The objections we raised on the budget were not answered and a revised note was circulated which has no proper answer to the issues we have raised.

The TDP government has rushed through the proceedings with no proper debate on the Finance Bill, Minister's reply, clarifications or a purposeful discussion on the BC Welfare resolution which shows the Government wanted to wade through the formality in a hurry,' he added.