Opposition disrupts Assembly on the second day

Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition disrupted Kerala Assembly proceedings for the second day on Tuesday.

The Opposition staged walk-outs demanding ouster of Excise Minister K. Babu over bar-bribery and registration of case against him and also over Speaker denying permission to move an adjournment motion on price rise.

The members moved into the well of the House with placard during question hour and disrupted proceedings.

The adjournment motion, given notice of by C. Divakaran (CPI), said that the functioning of Horticorp, Supplyco and Neethi and Maveli Stores were in disarray when the people were facing price rise.

Denying contentions of Mr. Divakaran, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Anoop Jacob said that the government was intervening in the market as before. The prices had gone up only in the case of grams. Budgeted funds for market intervention had been spent fully. The government also able to get PDS quotas from the Centre restored.

Intervening in the debate, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the present government had spent Rs. 503 crore for market intervention since it had come to power against Rs. 344 crore spent by the LDF government during its tenure. Sufficient funds had been allocated to Consumerfed and Horticorp. The Government would review the position on December 15.

Opposition Leader V. S. Achuthanandan reiterated allegations against the Excise Minister through a submission. However, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala maintained that Mr. Babu had been found innocent through a comprehensive enquiry.