The Legislative Council on Tuesday plunged into chaos for sometime and Sugar Minister Shankar Patil Munenkoppa was left red-faced after one of his Cabinet colleagues accused an official of delaying paperwork for his sugar factory while a former Cabinet Minister and BJP member pointed out the delay in signing agreements for ethanol sales, handing out ammunition to the Opposition to attack the government.
The intense battle of words between the Opposition and treasury benches ensued during Question Hour when the Sugar Minister was responding to a question posed by Sunil Vallyapure on the ethanol production in sugar factories in Kalyana Karnataka region.
When the Minister was speaking about setting up of a committee to suggest a ethanol policy, former Deputy Chief Minister Laxman Savadi pointed out at the delay in signing agreement for sale of ethanol, which could have helped sugar factories in clearing farmers’ due. “Though the file has been placed three months ago, it has not been cleared and agreement for sale of ethanol has not been signed.”
