The TRS and TDP leaders have questioned the arrival of the Chief Minister and Speaker to the Assembly almost two hour before the session was scheduled to begin. Both the leaders and also DGP V Dinesh Reddy have reportedly reached the Assembly premises at around 7 AM. However, the TRS and TDP leaders alleged that Kiran Kumar Reddy and the Speaker came to the Assembly without their regular escort.

Talking to reporters at Assembly’s media point, Telugu Desam Telangana Forum convener Errabelli Dayakar Rao sought an explanation from the leaders over their early arrival to the Assembly. He also demanded that the Chief Minister explain his stand on the Telangana issue. Stating that Telangana resolution in the Assembly would not be sufficient, he demanded that the Centre introduce Telangana Bill in the Parliament and all TDP MPs would vote in favour of it.

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Chief Minister had talks with the representatives of the private hospitals who were demanding 30 per cent hike in charges for treatment under Aarogyasri while there were many complaints of misappropriation and irregularities in implementing the scheme.

The Association has said that it will take action against any hospital that violates the norms. Any discrepancy should be solved through negotiations. The association also assured that it has no objection to implement Udyogasri scheme the cashless medicare to government employees.

Earlier, there were allegations that the hospitals have been exploiting gullible people in the form of unnecessary tests and surgeries only to encash and make most of the scheme.

TDP leader Revanth Reddy and others said that the hospitals have ganged up and are milking the government and raising huge amount of bills without providing any quality and proper treatment. INN

It is but natural for one or two persons to have reservations on the cabinet decisions and it is not a new thing, he said.

Ministers K Jana Reddy and DL Ravindra Reddy along with PCC Chief Botsa Satyanrayaana went hammer and tongs against the Chief Minister for the launch of Bangaru Thalli scheme. While some said it was not discussed in the cabinet others questioned the feasibility of the scheme. He was speaking to media after a meeting with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy.

On Bayyaram mines, he said the issue need not be politicized. “Why did KCR not question when the Bayyaram mines were allotted to Rakshana Steels,’ he asked. INN

The minister said that as many as 72 posts of Surveyors were lying vacant across the State. They include one post in Anantapur, 10 in Adilabad, 11 in Karimnagar, seven in Khammam, 17 in Mahabubnagar, 12 in Medak and 15 in Nalgonda district. He was replying to a question raised by MLCs Gundumala Thippe Swamy and Kandula Lakshmi Durgesh Prasad during the Question Hour. INN

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday, he said the elections will be held in the last week of April and first week of May. This will the semi-finals to the general elections, he said. The No Confidence Motion has proved our strength and has shown their place to those who moved the motion, he said.

On members who defied the whip, he said that a complaint will be lodged with the Speaker to initiate action against them. INN

After discussing with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy the date will be finalised and this would be informed to all the floor leaders today, he said. It may be mentioned that the Chief Minister has announced that an all party meeting would be held on the issue.

When TDP members insisted that there should be a discussion on the issue, the House was adjourned for 30 minutes. INN

The Chief Minister asked them to send all pending replies to Legislature Secretariat before budget session commences. He asked the Special Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of various departments to be fully prepared for the Sessions of the Legislative Assembly and Council commencing on 13th March and be prepared with details on all current subjects and issues that might come up for discussion. All answers should be prompt, accurate and in detail.

Kiran Kumar Reddy said that during these sessions, new aspects are the standing committees, SC, ST Sub Plan Act, special budget for agriculture and allied sectors.

The Chief Minister held a high level meeting at Secretariat on Monday with Ministers, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries on the budget session. Several ministers including Ministers for Finance, Revenue, Agriculture, Panchayat Raj, Transport, Legislative Affairs, Women Welfare, ST Welfare, Minorities Welfare attended. He also directed officials not to go on leave during sessions.

The Chief Minister said, “This budget session is particularly important since there are many specialties like Standing Committees of the legislature on the lines of Parliament, separate budget allocations for SC-ST sub plans for which an Act promulgated and will be implemented. We are also presenting a separate budget for Agriculture and allied sectors. There are 9 departments included in the Agricultural and allied budget. The standing committees will be making their recommendations on the budget and they would be presented to the full House”.

Kiran Kumar Reddy reiterated that questions of previous session that were not answered should be sent immediately. Apart from Governor’s address and the Budget, most important will be the matters of immediate public importance. This is very important. Some of them will have to be attended immediately. Officials should be in constant touch with the Ministers concerned.

The Chief Minister said that translations in three languages – English, Telugu and Urdu for all questions, Bills and other matters should be furnished accurately. A nodal officer should be nominated to look after the translations and its accuracy and ensure error-free translations and ensure that the figures provided in the information should be correct and authentic. The Chief Minister said a Nodal Officer should be appointed in every department to deal with the Assembly and Council subjects.

Kiran Kumar Reddy directed that Special Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and senior officers should not go on leave and if there are any contingencies, proper substitute should be nominated in their place. The Principal Secretaries should be available on mobile phone to the ministers particularly in the mornings. He directed that the District Collectors to send information and other details on issues of their respective districts which might come up for urgent discussions in both Houses. Answers to questions and other statements should be ready well in advance from time to time. He said that all officers should promptly brief the Ministers on the questions and other issues to be raised in the Assembly and Council.

The Chief Minister instructed that replies to zero hour proceedings should be sent immediately. The Chief Minster also directed that Principal Secretaries should be present in the officers box in the Assembly and Council when their subjects and departments are being discussed without fail. Mr Kiran Kumar Reddy also directed that the Principal Secretaries and Secretaries should coordinate with the Assembly/Council Secretaries and staff for smooth functioning during the session. He also wanted the officials to enlist all the subjects dealt by each department, prepare necessary notes well in advance and every Minister should be kept well informed.

Finance Minister Anam Ram Narayana Reddy, Legislative Affairs Minister D Sreedhar Babu, Secretary (Political) Shiv Shankar also spoke on this occasion. INN

According to the CMO, the Chief Minsiter will reach Zahirabad by helicopter from Begumpet airport at 3.00 pm on Wednesday and proceed to Mahindra & Mahindra Farm Division to inaugurate the new Tractor Plant in the Factory premises at 3.20 pm and visit the Tractor Plant.

The Chief Minister will also address the gathering from 4 pm to 4.45 pm. He will return to Begumpet Airport by helicopter at 4.50 pm and reach Camp Residence at 5.30 pm. INN