The Budget session of Telangana Legislative Assembly began today on a stormy note as the Opposition Congress and TDP members held protests during the Governor’s customary address to the joint sitting of the legislature.

Opposition members alleged that the ruling TRS Government was encouraging defections in the State.

Holding placards, members of the Opposition parties raised slogans and flung papers at the podium. Many of them stood at their places as the House met, while some gathered near the Well. They were even joined by some members of the TRS.

The Governor’s address continued amid sloganeering and protests.

Later, talking to reporters, TDP floor leader in the Assembly E Dayakar Rao claimed that his party colleagues were “attacked’’.

“The incident is a scar for Telangana Assembly. This is a black day. TRS MLAs attacked our (MLA) Prakash Goud and MLC Nageswara Rao,” he alleged.

Countering the TDP and Congress allegations, Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao charged both the parties with also having encouraged defections.

“Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has admitted Opposition YSC Congress legislators into TDP. But, they are finding fault with us here. I am asking TDP leaders, what outrageous thing has happened now? You gave in writing to Speaker and Chairman (Legislative Council) that some have changed parties. An appropriate decision will be taken at an appropriate time,” Rao said.

On Congress, he said they had encouraged defections during Y S Rajasekhara Reddy regime, but are crying foul now.

BJP floor leader K Laxman demanded that video footage be released to ascertain the facts on the matter.

Meanwhile, Governor E S L Narasimhan in his address said considerable progress has been made on all fronts despite the fact that the new state faced several challenges post its formation like inadequate staff and non-availability of senior officers.

GDP growth forecast

He said the state’s GSDP growth forecast for fiscal 2014-15 is estimated at 5.3 per cent against 4.8 per cent in 2013-14 at constant (2004-05) prices.

The per capita income at current prices during 2014-15 is expected to be Rs 1,03,889 compared with Rs 95,361 during 2013-14.

New schemes

The Government has formulated a scheme for providing three acres of arable land to each landless poor Dalit family in the name of the woman of the family.

The State Government also plans a Rs 50,000-crore fund for the comprehensive development of SCs in the next five years. For the welfare of STs, the Government would strive to provide them 12 per cent reservation in education and employment, he said.

The Telangana Government is determined to provide Rs 25,000 crore for the development of backward classes over the next five years. For minorities, Rs 1,000 crore will be rendered each year for their welfare.

The Government is taking up a number of initiatives to transform Hyderabad Metropolis into a global hub.

“Considering the strategic location of Hyderabad in our federation, its potential to become a global destination will soon be realised,” the Governor said.

The Government is also committed to provide irrigation facility in one lakh acres in each Assembly constituency for risk proofing the farming sector from the vagaries of the monsoon, he said.

'Mission Kakatiya'

Under the flagship ‘Mission Kakatiya’, the Government plans to restore 46,447 minor irrigation tanks in the next five years at an estimated cost of Rs 20,000 crore.

On the crucial power sector front, the Telangana Government proposes to add 6,000 MW in next three years to make the state self-sufficient, Narasimhan said.

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