The Andhra Pradesh Assembly was adjourned twice this morning as the main Opposition Telugu Desam Party MLAs stalled the proceedings demanding that the Government immediately announce a slew of measures to bail out the farmers in distress.
The TDP members stormed the Speaker’s podium holding placards and raising slogans denouncing the “anti-farmer” attitude of the Congress Government.
They demanded that the Government enhance the input subsidy to Rs 10,000 per acre to farmers whose crops were damaged due to untimely heavy rains last year.
They also wanted the Government agencies to immediately procure all the damaged paddy available with farmers and also pay a bonus of Rs 200 over and above the minimum support price.
Officiating Speaker Mr Nadendla Manohar appealed to the TDP members to let the House take up the Question Hour.
As the TDP MLAs continued with their protest, the officiating Speaker adjourned the proceedings first for 30 minutes. The same din continued even after the House re-assembled as the TDP members remained in the Well.
The Finance Minister, Mr Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy, appealed to the agitated members to allow the Question Hour as several important issues of public concern were listed for discussion.
He said the Government was ready for a debate on any subject raised by the Opposition parties if the Speaker permitted.
The officiating Speaker too reiterated his appeal to the TDP MLAs but, as they remained unrelenting, he adjourned the House for 15 minutes for the second time.