The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : TDP alleges discrimination

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 11, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

TDP alleges discrimination

Correspondent

Councillors seek justice in implementation of schemes in wards they represent

VIZIANAGARAM: TDP councillors squatted on the floor in front of the Municipal Chairperson’s podium alleging discrimination in the allotment of houses under Indiramma phase-III, distribution of LPG connections under Deepam scheme and also pensions in their wards on Friday.

Soon after Chairperson A. Suribabu occupied his seat at 10.30 a.m., the TDP councillors rushed to the podium without any provocation and squatted on the floor demanding “equal justice” in the government welfare schemes. When repeated pleas to restore order failed, the Chairperson adjourned the meeting for 20 minutes.

Once again when the meeting began and there was no change in the TDP stand, the Chairperson went ahead with the agenda and left the meeting hall. The TDP councillors continued their protest. At this juncture power went off, thus giving scope for the Opposition to train its guns against Commissioner S.S. Verma and Mr. Suribabu. The Chairperson, however, denied having cut the power intentionally.

On receiving information, P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, TDP Polit Bureau member, Padala Aruna, P. Narayanaswamy Naidu and T. Lakshmi Naidu, MLAs, D.V.G. Sankar Rao, former MP, and other leaders, who were in a party meeting, rushed to the Municipal Office and made the councillors call off their protest.

Later, Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju told reporters that there was no transparency in the allotment of houses and pensions. The list of beneficiaries was finalised even without undertaking door-to-door survey and added that the Chairperson and the Commissioner were not ready to hear appeals. Adding insult to the injury, the power was cut immediately after the Chairperson left the meeting hall, he said, adding, “their behaviour is ridiculous and inhuman.”

TDP Floor leader V.S. Prasad said that the Commissioner violated the government guidelines. He said that Congress workers were appointed for identification of beneficiaries under Indiramma phase-III in TDP-won wards. Moreover, they were being asked to submit affidavits, the procedure that was not followed in the first two phases of the programme, he said. Later, the MLAs and the councillors met Collector G. Ram Narayana Reddy and submitted a representation explaining violation of guidelines.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh