Assembly not empowered to vote on T-Bill: Ponnala

IT Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah on Saturday said that there would be no voting on Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Bill, 2013 in the State Legislative Assembly.

Speaking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan here, Ponnala said that the Assembly does voting for Bill which are enacted by the State Government. He said that the Assembly was not empowered to vote for Central legislations like the Telangana Bill. Such Bills could only be debated on the floor of the House, he said.

Ponnala said that only Parliament has the powers to carryout amendment and approve the Telangana Bill. However, he said that the State Legislative Assembly could send its views on the Bill. He told the Seemandhra legislators that it would be a historical mistake if the State Legislative Assembly returns the Telangana Bill to the President of India without debating it.