Hyderabad: The Telangana State Legislative Assembly and Council on Sunday passed the Telangana Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement bill (Telangana Amendment Act, 2016) after both the Houses adopted three amendments.
While the entire proceedings in special session of Assembly lasted for about 8 minutes, the Bill was passed in the Council in less than 5 five minutes. Therefore, amendments were carried out without any discussions in both the House. These were the shortest durations of Assembly and Council session in the history.
The Congress members, in both the House, created uproar demanding discussion on farmers’ issues.
As soon as the Assembly met on Sunday, Speaker S. Madhusudan Chary asked Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali to introduce the amendments.
Meanwhile, Congress MLAs, led by Leader of Opposition K. Jana Reddy, stood on their seats and raised slogans demanding debate on farmers’ issues. They also displayed placards in protest against the government.
The Speaker tried in vain to convince Congress legislators to resume their seats. Amid protest, the Speaker asked Jana Reddy to speak on the Bill. With Jana Reddy not responding to the Speaker’s directive, the latter asked MIM MLA Syed Ahmed Pasha Quadri to express his views.
The Congress members continued their protest and while Quadri was making the speech, they tried to move towards the Speaker’s podium.
However, they were prevented from proceeding further by the Marshals. While Quadri’s speech remained inconclusive, the Speaker named CPI (M) MLA Sunnam Rajaiah to speak on the Bill. But before he could proceed, Legislative Affairs Minister T. Harish Rao condemned the behaviour of Congress MLAs and requested the Speaker to pass the Bill.
The Speaker then put the amendments to voice vote which was supported by the ruling TRS and MIM members. After the passing the Bill, the Speaker announced the adjournment of the Assembly sine die.
BJP and TDP members could not participate in the proceedings as they are facing suspension.
Similarly, the Bill was passed in the Council by Chairman Swamy Goud through voice vote in about five minutes and adjourned the House sine die.
The Bill was originally passed by the Telangana Assembly on December 28, 2016. But it was returned by the Centre asking the State Government to incorporate some amendments. (INN)