AP: TDP stalls House for VAT hike rollback

HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam, the main opposition party in the Assembly, obstructed the proceedings of the House on Thursday, demanding roll- back of the increase in the value-added tax levied on essential commodities and textiles.TRS members, holding placards, also rushed to the podium demanding fulfilment of the government’s assurance to address RTC employees’ grievances which resulted from the Sakala Janula Samme.As soon as speaker Nadendla Manohar took up the Question Hour in the morning, TDP legislators rushed to the podium and shouted slogans demanding withdrawal of the VAT hike.Terming it a serious issue that impacted all sections of society, they said it needed a discussion by the House.“You can speak on it during the discussion on the VAT bill in the day and make your point,’’ the speaker said.Minister for legislative affairs D Sridhar Babu said the government was ready for a discussion but asked the opposition members to raise the matter in a different form .Though the speaker tried to pacify the agitating members, the TDP members continued their protest.The TRS members also wanted a discussion on the RTC employees issue.With both the parties adamant on their respective demands and left with no option, the speaker adjourned the House for 15 minutes.