Andhra assembly backs centre over fight against black money

The Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday backing the central government over the measures being taken by it to eradicate black money.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu moved the resolution, which was later passed.

Stating that the menace of black money is destroying the country's economy, he urged the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to take all possible measures to make India a corruption-free country.

Naidu told the house that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) always fought against corruption. He assured the members all necessary measures will be taken to root out the corruption.

Lauding the initiative taken by Narendra Modi government to eradicate black money, the chief minister stressed the need for economic, political and administrative reforms.

He noted that at the first cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Modi constituted a Special Investigation Team on black money. He hailed the central government's move in writing to the Swiss government seeking names of those holding bank accounts in that country. Naidu suggested that this money should be used for people's welfare.

Naidu, also the TDP chief, said the corrupt were stashing their money in tax havens countries while poor people in India were suffering from hunger. He alleged that the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) never took any measure to bring back black money as it was itself was steeped in corruption.

The chief minister was of the view that if necessary, the government should ban Rs.1,000 and Rs.500 currency notes and all monetary transactions should be made compulsory only through banks.

Leader of Opposition Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy also supported the resolution. However, the debate on the resolution was marred by exchange of words between the ruling TDP and YSR Congress Party.

Jaganmohan Reddy remarked that voters should be asked which party spent more money in the recent elections.

Naidu referred to the book "Raja of corruption" brought out by TDP to highlight corruption during the rule of the late Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, father of Jaganmohan Reddy.

The leader of opposition reminded Naidu that the Communist parties also published a book on corruption during his (Naidu's) rule.

Finance Minister Y. Ramakrishnudu remarked that Jaganmohan Reddy talking of corruption is like a devil quoting scriptures.

The minister pointed out that Jaganmohan Reddy is facing charges of corruption to the tune of Rs.43,000 crore and that he has already spent 16 months in jail.