The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi: Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Lavu Shrikrishna Devarayalu stressed the need to boost parliamentary productivity and pressed for in-depth discussions on issues concerning Andhra Pradesh during the all-party meeting held ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament.
Speaking after the meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Devarayalu said the TDP urged both the government and the opposition to ensure that “not a single day goes to waste” and that all scheduled business is completed. He welcomed the decision to convene the Business Advisory Committee a day before the session begins, calling it “a step in the right direction” toward improving the functioning of the House.
Outlining the key topics his party plans to raise, the TDP MP said the party will seek discussion on the Goods and Services Tax (GST), noting that reforms introduced through the GST Council have been “largely successful.” Citing projections of Mumbai’s GDP growth at 8–8.2 per cent, he said similar growth patterns must be explored and sustained nationwide.
Water-sharing issues, particularly related to the Krishna River, were highlighted as another major concern for Andhra Pradesh. Devarayalu said the state continues to face severe irrigation and drinking water challenges and called for a comprehensive debate in Parliament to address the situation.
He also raised concerns about the Jagananna scheme, alleging that while the previous administration allocated Rs 22,000–23,000 crore between 2019 and 2024, only about Rs 2,000 crore was utilised, and that too was diverted. He said the TDP seeks clarity on the scheme’s future and the benefits Andhra Pradesh can expect once corrective steps are implemented.
Devarayalu underscored widespread distress across farm sectors—including maize, cotton, mango, and aquaculture. He noted that cotton farmers continue to face issues with the Cotton Corporation of India, MSP concerns persist among maize and mango growers, and the aquaculture sector is struggling due to the impact of certain US directives. He urged Parliament to hold detailed discussions so the “farming community receives justice.”
Touching upon the Special Investment Region (SIR) issue, the MP said the TDP supports the measures underway and wants them implemented in Andhra Pradesh at the earliest. He also called for early training of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to ensure transparent elections.
On electoral reforms, he said the TDP suggested that the Election Commission strengthen voter authentication. While acknowledging existing restrictions on linking Aadhaar with voter IDs, he proposed developing a voter-specific biometric database—featuring fingerprint and iris-based security measures—to ensure complete authenticity of voter cards.
“Overall, we welcome the steps being taken. Our aim is to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections,” Devarayalu said.
