The Hindu Business Line : AP House panel to probe charges against dairies

A HOUSE Committee of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly would enquire into the alleged irregularities in the functioning of Visakha, Chittoor and Prakasam Cooperative Dairies. How to revive these dairies will also be included in the terms of reference of the probe.

The State Finance Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, agreed to the probe in response to persistent demands by the members to this effect during the question hour of the Assembly on Tuesday.

Terming it as the 14th enquiry ordered by the ruling Congress Government, the Telugu Desam Legislature Party Leader, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, said that the treasury benches would not be able to "blackmail" the Opposition by ordering politically motivated enquiries.

Mr Naidu took strong objection to the Government Chief Whip, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, saying that Heritage Foods, a dairy belonging to his family members, prospered while the operations of the Chittoor Cooperative Dairy declined during the TDP rule.

Stating that many members of treasury benches including the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, have enterprises doing business, Mr Naidu challenged the Government to take action if Heritage Foods had indulged in any illegitimate activity. "I am not afraid of any enquiries. I won't be cowed down even if you put me in jail," he said.

Mr Rosaiah, however, said that there was no need for Mr Naidu to get angry and asked the Opposition Leader, "Do you think that we don't have any other work but to put you in jail and provide you all facilities?"

Earlier, replying to a question on the issue by CPI-M members, the Minister for Animal Husbandry, Mr G. Surya Rao, said that he would order an enquiry into the irregularities by a senior official. However, CPI-M legislator, Mr M.A. Gafoor and others said that huge sums of money had been embezzled by the Management of the Visakha Cooperative Dairy and insisted upon a probe by a House Committee.

Our Vizag Bureau adds: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has hailed the decision of the State Government, announced in the Assembly on Tuesday, to appoint a House committee into the alleged irregularities in the Visakha co-operative dairy here.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Mr Ch. Narasinga Rao, the member of the State committee of the party, alleged that for years the Telugu Desam leaders had established a stranglehold on the co-operative dairy and were guilty of betraying the interests of farmers as well the employees. Several representations had been made to the previous Telugu Desam government, but to no avail.

More Stories on : Dairy & Dairy Products | Andhra Pradesh

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