HYDERABAD: The reported ‘ban’ on Heritage milk products in Kerala by the government there came in handy for the TRS to counter opposition TDP in Telangana Assembly on Wednesday, when the latter raised the issue of milk adulteration and sought to know what preventive steps the government had initiated.
The issue led to verbal duel between ruling and opposition parties stalling the House proceedings forcing Speaker to adjourn the House four times. When TRS legislator E Ravinder Reddy and Congress MLA DS Redyanaik, who had defected to TRS, sought to know from the government as to what measures government is going to initiate against Heritage Dairy, whose products were banned in Kerala, if they are found to be adulterated in Telangana, health minister T Rajaiah said they will inquire into the matter and take action as per law. Supporting the allegations, K T Rama Rao flashed a purported order issued by Kerala government banning the company’s milk.
Taking exception to this, TDP leaders raised a protest and rushed into the well of the House. Wondering why the TDP legislators were so agitated as if they are Heritage directors or representatives, KT Rama Rao said they are acting as lackeys of AP CM Chandrababu Naidu.
When his appeal to the agitated legislators to resume their seats did not yield results, the Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes. When it recommenced, health minister said of the 32 samples of milk of various brands collected in the last one year for analysis under provisions of FSS Act, 11 were found to be substandard and cases were booked against the companies. He further explained that samples of Heritage Foods was also featured along with prominent companies in those 11 samples that had failed the tests.
Speaker announced the Question Hour concluded and asked MIM MLA Akbaruddin to start the discussion on the general budget, stating all other questions listed for the Question Hour deemed answered and disallowed the five adjournment motions moved by the opposition parties on various topics. However, TDP MLAs continued their objection to the minister’s remarks seeking action against him, forcing Speaker to adjourn the House for 10 minutes again. Members cutting across party lines expressed serious concern over sale of adulterated milk. “It’s a social evil and the government needs to take stringent action against those indulging in supply of adulterated milk,” senior Congress MLA J Geetha Reddy said.