Debate will serve no purpose, JLC probe must: Babu

Demanding a Joint Legislative Committee probe into dubious land allotments, which took place in Special Economic Zones in the name of industrialization, Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday stated that thousands of crores of rupees have changed hands in the land allotments and caused immense loss to the state Exchequer.

Talking to media persons at Telugu Desam Legislature Party office, the TDP chief stated the state government was not responding properly to the Opposition parties demand for JLC probe into dubious land allotments.

Despite the Opposition stalling the House on land allotments issue since the past one week, there was no response from the government, which clearly shows its interest towards addressing the people’s problems, the TDP chief pointed out.

Mr Naidu stated the JLC probe would reveal the persons who are behind the dubious allotments to light and the government can initiate disciplinary action against them.

When pointed out by the media persons that Major Industries Minister J Geetha Reddy has said that the government was ready for a discussion on the issue in the House, Mr Naidu stated the discussions will not serve any purpose except shifting blame on each other.

The TDP chief wondered why the state government was not re-acquiring the land allotted for Brahmani Steels, despite Gali Janardhan Reddy clearly stating that he was not ready to set up steel plant in Kadapa.

Demanding a probe into properties and assets of former Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy, Mr Naidu alleged that former MP has amassed immense wealth through illegal methods and has invested in Bharathi Cement.

Reacting to the cross-voting during the MLC elections, Mr Naidu stated that MLAs were sold for money power.

Reacting on three TDP MLAs –N Prasanna Kumar Reddy, Pocharam Srinivas, Balanagi Reddy--resorting to cross voting, the TDP chief said serious action would be initiated against them.

Mr Naidu said that he would write a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily seeking reforms in the electoral laws. Before enfranchise their votes, the candidates should show their votes to their party nominee, Mr Naidu stated.

Expressing solidarity with Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary BV Raghavulu’s hunger fast, the former chief minister said that he would raise all problems in Assembly seeking prompt action.