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Drought in TS, AP takes centre stage
Steps to mitigate drought impact in the two Telugu States, implementation of the promises made under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, and scarcity of drinking water in villages figured prominently
TRS MP Jithender Reddy seeks bifurcation of the High Court, release of Backward Regions Grant fund
New Delhi: Steps to mitigate drought impact in the two Telugu States, implementation of the promises made under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, and scarcity of drinking water in villages figured prominently in the all party meeting called for by the Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to discuss the upcoming second half of the Budget Session.
Addressing media after the meeting, MPs M Raja Mohan Reddy (YSRCP), Jitender Reddy (TRS) and Thota Narasimham (TDP) said there was a consensus among all parties that the session should be conducted with all the seriousness it deserved as important legislative works were pending.
Raja Mohan Reddy said Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh political developments were discussed along with drought conditions prevailing in the country.
He said he highlighted the drought situation in AP where even drinking water had become scarce. He said he also sought an amendment to prevent defections of the elected MLAs and MPs to other parties as was being witnessed in AP due to lures. All promises made during bifurcation must be fulfilled, he added. Special status for AP and creation of a new railway zone was raised by him.
The TRS MP said his party would cooperate with the treasury benches in the smooth conduct of the House. He said the bifurcation of the High Court should be completed at the earliest as promised during bifurcation. He sought the release of Backward Regions Grant Fund at the earliest. Mission Bhagiratha undertaken by the Telangana government came in for praise from the YSRCP leader during the meeting.
Jitender Reddy said he sought exemption to the MPs from the Odd Even scheme in Delhi as their stay in Delhi itself was of short duration and they had to commute to various Ministries while staying here. All MPs could not afford to maintain two cars and hence, the exemption should be extended to them.
Narasimham reminded the ruling party of the promises made to AP during bifurcation and demanded these be implemented. The AP government was fully cooperating with the Centre and it was anticipating help from every quarter in the development of the State which had no capital even.
Drought and drinking water shortage were dogging the State and these should be addressed by the Centre at once, he said.
