Oppn disrupts AP Governor’s maiden address

Vijayawada: The maiden address by Governor S Abdul Nazeer, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, to the joint session of Andhra Pradesh Legislature at Amaravati on Tuesday was marred by frequent disruptions by the Opposition members finally leading to a noisy walkout.

The budget session will end on March 24 as the entire official machinery is busy with making arrangements for the G20 Group Working Committee meeting in Visakhapatnam on March 28 and 29. Top dignitaries from 40 countries are expected to attend the meeting. The budget is expected to have an outlay of Rs 2.60 lakh crore, which will be presented on March 17 by Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath. This will be the last full-fledged budget by the present government before facing the elections due in 2024.

During the budget session, the government is expected to make crucial announcements like unveiling New Industrial Policy, formation of three capitals and the signing of MoUs worth over Rs 15 lakh crore at the two-day Global Investors’ Summit organised in Visakhapatnam. At the GIS, the Chief Minister had stated that he would relocate to Visakhapatnam ‘very soon.’

TDP State president K Atchan Naidu and Leader of Opposition in the Council Yanamala Ramakrishnudu after staging a walkout said the Governor read out ‘concocted’ figures on the performance of the YSRCP Government.

Earlier, in an over one hour long address, the Governor gave details on inclusive development with welfare agenda under the Navaratnalu schemes and good governance with transparency and how it put Andhra Pradesh on the top position during last financial year with a growth rate of 11.43 per cent, ahead of all other States.

The Governor said Navaratnalu, aimed at improving the socio-economic condition of the deprived, marginalised and the poorer sections had set the development and welfare framework of the government.

He said during the four years, the State had made rapid strides on all fronts and pointed out how it has made significant progress in the fields of agriculture, industries and service sector. When the Opposition tried to interrupt his speech, the ruling party members raised slogans in praise of Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.

As soon as the Governor started reading out the address to the joint house of the legislature, Opposition members led by Atchan Naidu and Ramakrishnudu raised objections over figures read out on irrigation and other projects and so-called progress achieved in the implementation of the Polavaram project.

On arrival, the Governor was received by the Chief Minister, Assembly Speaker Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Council Chairman Koye Moshenu Raju.