AP MLAs get time till Jan 10 to propose amendments to Reorganisation Bill

A consensus remained elusive on taking up debate on the controversial draft AP Reorganisation Bill-2013 in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly even as Speaker gave members time till January 10 to propose amendments, if any, to it.

At the same time, the Speaker Nadendla Manohar said voting would be taken up on the draft Bill, clause by clause, and also that members who could not speak in the House and could submit their opinion in writing.

"All this will be recorded as part of the House proceedings and returned to the Centre along with the draft Bill," the Speaker assured the Assembly Business Advisory Committee here this afternoon.

The draft Bill was referred to the state Legislature by the President under Article 3 of the Constitution and given time till January 23 to the House to express its views and return the Bill.

The Speaker convened the meeting of the BAC to break the deadlock in the House as the YSR Congress legislators remained firm on their demand that a resolution be passed opposing the bifurcation of the state and the Telugu Desam wanted the draft Bill returned to the Centre seeking elaborate information on various clauses, besides the "aims and objects" and the financial statement.

The Assembly could not transact any business in the last three days since the winter session resumed on the January 3 after a two-week break.

At the BAC meeting held in two spells today, it was Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi who insisted on a clear announcement from the Speaker on the demand for voting on the draft Bill as also whether or not the debate on it was initiated in the first.