Decentralisation Bill referred to Select Committee..

Andhra Pradesh: Amaravathi: Jan 23:  After hours of suspense, bedlam and trading of charges between the treasury and the opposition yesterday late night in the legislative council the bills introduced were referred to Select Committee.

Unprecedented it may sound yet in a  controversial decision, Chairman of the Legislative Council MA Shariff used his discretionary powers to refer the crucial Decentralisation of Governance and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill and the Repeal of the Capital Region Development Bill to a select committee on Wednesday late night, thwarting the government’s move to create three capitals — legislative in Amaravati, executive in Visakhapatnam and judicial in Kurnool — albeit temporarily. This effectively put on hold the plans of the government of the day to shift its executive capital to Vizag. The council was adjourned twice in the melee and Advocate General was also rushed to the council to oversee the proceedings of the council and negotiate with the Chairman.

During the day tense atmosphere prevailed when Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu was asked to leave the council gallery where is believed to have sat and guiding the chair. Chandrababu refused to leave the council and questioned the discrimination of the state in allowing YSRCP leaders doing the same the previous day.

The ruling YSRC was livid since the Chair decision came after it was found that the Opposition TDP, which has an absolute majority in the Council, did not serve notice to move a motion for referring the Bills to a committee as per rules, but still had its way with the Chairman’s call. The Council Chairman adjourned the House sine die after announcing his decision, much to the delight of the TDP leaders, including its chief N Chandrababu Naidu, who were watching the proceedings from the gallery.

The ruling YSRCP termed the decision and the entire proceedings as a black day in history of the state and never before such unilateral decisions were taken that are unpardonable and blamed the TDP for guiding the chair the chairman becoming the yes master of the opposition TDP.

Reports indicate that the state government is keen to abolish the legislative council as it has become a hindrance to its governance and with TDP having majority stalling bills.