7-day Assembly session begins today

The Opposition and the government are both preparing for the brief monsoon session of the Legislature which lasts for seven working days beginning on Wednesday.

Among the issues likely to feature in the session are the injustice to Andhra Pradesh in the sharing of river waters, illegal construction of Babli and other projects by upstream states, increase in prices generally, and the illegal mining of iron-ore.

The Business Advisory Committees of both the legislative houses met on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Dr A. Chakrapani, the chairman of the legislative council, and Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Speaker of the Assembly.

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, said that initially the government wanted to run the house for five working days, while the Opposition demanded 10 days, and finally he agreed to seven days. This means the session will start on July 7 and conclude on July 15.

In preparation for the legislative session, the Chief Minister held a meeting in the Assembly on Tuesday and instructed them to be vigilant on issues brought up by the Opposition and to provide replies. He also instructed them to counter criticism. The CM said seven Bills, including three Bills replacing ordinances, will be introduced.

The CM said ministers and MLAs belonging to the Telangana region will have to adjust legislative business in such a way as to allow them to participate in the by-election campaign in the area. The business advisory committee has decided to sit in the evenings for four days. The government has agreed to a special discussion, one every day on issues identified by political parties.

About the programme for celebrating the late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s first jayanthi on July 8, the CM said he will seek the Speaker’s permission to rise and make a reference about the late YSR’s contribution to the state. A portrait of YSR will be unveiled in the Assembly Committee Hall and Congress legislators will celebrate the occasion in the Congress Legislature office. On the evening of July 8, the state government will organise a function at Ravindra Bharati.