There were heated arguments in the Assembly on Friday between the Congress and BRS members on excess rainfall and measures taken by the government. Three ministers had to intervene while D Sridhar Babu (Cong) was speaking on the issue.
The BRS members interrupted several times when Sridhar Babu spoke about check dams and other issues. When Sridhar Babu mentioned that 15 lakh acres of crops were damaged and would require Rs 15,000 crore compensation, Municipal Administration Minister KT Rama Rao said Babu was making exaggerated remarks with his own estimates.
Rao stated that only cotton and soya crops would be affected, not paddy. He accused Congress leaders of becoming upset after the announcement of crop loan waiver by the government.
KTR also accused TPCC Chief A Revanth Reddy of suggesting that only three-hour power supply was enough for farmers and wanting to scrap the Dharani portal. He asked people to understand the conspiracy and demanded an apology from the Congress members.
Sridhar Babu clarified that he had not made any exaggerated remark and was only referring to news reports and experiences in his constituency where 5,200 acres were affected by rain.
Legislative Affairs Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy stated that officials were still collecting information, but Babu was misleading the House with his figures.
The Congress member argued that instead of answering questions, the ruling party members were diverting the debate. He mentioned that the party was ready to discuss power-related issues. He also criticized the construction of check dams in an unscientific manner, which contributed to flooding and sand entering fields.
CLP leader Bhatti Vikramarka defended the Congress by stating that they provided free power and refuted the claim that the TPCC chief talked about restricting power for three hours.
Prashanth Reddy offered to show a video if permitted by the Speaker to expose the Congress leader. He explained that the flood damage was worse because of the higher rainfall. He advised Sridhar Babu not to engage in mudslinging.
Finance Minister T Harish Rao joined the discussion and mentioned that one Congress leader suggested only three hours of power supply, Sridhar Babu dismissed the need for check dams, and another leader wanted to scrap Dharani. He described this as the Congress party’s policy.
In response, Sridhar Babu accused the senior minister of misleading the House. He clarified that he had suggested re-examining the construction of check dams due to their unscientific nature.
