The Andhra Pradesh Assembly was adjoruned for 15 minutes today when members from the main opposition TDP demanded discussion on ban on cotton exports by raising slogans at the Speaker’s podium. As soon as the House assembled for the day, Speaker Nadendla Manohar announced disallowing all the adjournment motions given notice of by TDP on cotton exports, CPI on drinking water and CPI (M) on hike in Water Tax.
Even as the Speaker appealed to the members to raise the farmers’ issues on Monday and Tuesday, the Telugu Desam members , who demanded a discussion on ban on cotton exports, raised slogans, holding placards from their respective seats, on the issue. In the meantime, Agriculture Minister Kanna Laxminarayana informed the House that the union Government had imposed a ban on cotton exports.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy had already discussed the issue with the Prime Minister, the Minister said and added the Chief Minister will also write to the President and Prime Minister today seeking permission to export 10 per cent more cotton. Not satisfied with the Minister’s reply, the main opposion members, who stuck to their demand, alleged that 40 per cent of unsold cotton produce still remained with the farmers and demanded the government take necessary measures to sell the produce locally. Though the Speaker appealed to the TDP members to cooperate for smooth functioning of the House, TDP members continued their slogan shouting holding placards and rushed to the podium demanding a discussion on cotton exports ban. Later, the Speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes at 0915 hrs. As soon as the House re-assembled, the Question Hour began without any protests from the opposition members. UNI