Telangana Assembly adjourned amid protests, three key bills passed without discussion

The Telangana Legislative Assembly was adjourned on Tuesday amid uproarious scenes for the second consecutive day as Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs insisted on a discussion over alleged atrocities against tribal farmers in Lagcherla and surrounding villages.

Despite the protests, the Assembly passed three key bills without discussion: The Young India Physical Education and Sports University Bill, introduced by Minister Konda Surekha; The Telangana Universities (Amendment) Bill, introduced by Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha; and The Telangana Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, introduced by Minister D. Sridhar Babu.

The House reconvened at 3 p.m. for the discussion on the bill, BRS MLAs continued their sloganeering and refused to occupy their seats. The BRS MLAs, dressed in black shirts and holding placards depicting the Lagcherla farmer in handcuffs, raised slogans throughout the session. Despite repeated appeals from the Speaker for cooperation to pass government bills, the MLAs persisted with their protest. BJP MLAs too joined in, holding placards demanding legal sanctity for the Congress government’s six guarantees.

Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu accused the BRS members of deliberately disrupting proceedings instead of engaging in a constructive debate. Marshals were called in to prevent BRS MLAs from approaching the Speaker’s podium as they raised slogans against the government. Congress MLAs also countered with their own placards and accused the BRS government of harassing the farmers, including the women, during their regime.

Following the passage of these bills, a short discussion on the ‘Telangana State Tourism Policy’ was initiated by Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, as directed by the Speaker.

Unrelenting in their protests, BRS MLAs continued raising slogans. During the short discussion, Congress MLA from Vemulawada, Adi Srinivas, urged the government to develop Vemulawada as a tourist spot, citing its proximity to the Mid-Manair and Lower Manair Dams. After this, the Speaker announced that the House would be adjourned to meet again at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Published - December 17, 2024 07:08 pm IST