Amaravati: TDP accuses Assembly Secretary of delaying setting up of 2 select panels

Amaravati: Reacting to the stalemate over formation of the Select Committees to study two bills, such asestablishment of three capitals and repealing of APCRDA, the TDP leaders demanded the Assembly Secretary Peddinti Bala Krishnamacharyulu constitute them as per the orders of the AP Legislative Council Chairman Shariff Mohammed Ahmed. The MLCs who included Ashok Babu, Buddha Venkanna, Naga Jagadeesh and others met the Assembly Secretary on Monday. They said the Secretary did not have powers to comment or delay the procedure once decision was taken by the Council Chairman.

Ashok Babu said the Secretary did not issue the bulletin and withheld the orders of the Chairman as the government exerted pressure on him. The MLC further stated that while withholding the orders of the Chairman, the Secretary was saying that the rules would not allow theformationofSelect Committees based on the discretionary powers of the Chair. The TDP leaders said once the Rule 71 was passed in the Council and all the members were against the two Bills, then how could the government or the Secretary expect that the House will speak in favour of the Government at the time of referring to select committee, they asked. He added that if the Ministers allowed the Chairman to discharge his duties, then there was no need for him to exercise the discretionary powers.

"The action of the Secretary amounts to violation of the Constitution. He is going beyond his limits," Ashok Babu said. He said that despite the orders from the Chairman, the Secretary did not constitute the Select Committees.