Confusion over fate of discussion

• Speaker’s office differs, Naidu says no clarity
• According to Minister Sridhar Babu, discussion has started
• Section of MLAs feels discussion will start only after BAC meet

Hyderabad: The State Assembly has been plunged into a state of confusion on whether or not the discussion on the draft T Bill has begun.

While the Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu, Chief Whip G Venkataramana Reddy and others claimed that the discussion had been initiated, the Speaker’s office was of the opinion that it was yet to begin. The decision on the time and the number of days the House would discuss the draft T Bill had to be taken by the BAC, they said. While Minister for Finance Anam Ramarayana Reddy was of the opinion that the discussion on the bill could not begin without holding the BAC, Sridhar Babu told media that the Speaker had said at the last BAC meeting that if the Bill was sent to the Assembly during the winter session, it would be taken up for discussion.

He felt that there was no need for another BAC and the House could proceed with the discussion from Tuesday.

If necessary the session could be extended by a few more days, he said. Sridhar Babu was of the opinion that since the Deputy Speaker had called upon the leader of the Opposition to initiate the debate the process had been set in motion.

Chandrababu Naidu felt that there was no clarity on the issue. Even the Assembly secretary was not clear about it. The Speaker did everything in a great hurry, he added.