Oppn slams govt ahead of Maha Budget session

Mumbai, Mar 8: Opposition today hit out at BJP over a host of issues, mainly over the persistent drought conditions, and challenged the government to overturn Supreme Court's ruling on dance bars in the Budget session of Maharashtra Legislature starting tomorrow.

The Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil termed the recent tour of ministers to drought-hit regions a "knee jerk reaction" to a visit by opposition leaders.

LoP in Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde said no government in the recent past has been as good as the present one in "juggling" words.

"Just before the start of Assembly session, the ministers undertook this drought tour in a huff and we are still to understand what did they want to prove by undertaking the tour.

All announcements made by the Chief Minister were in reality a continuation of financial assistance announced previously," Patil said here on the eve of the Budget session.

He said that as a response to government's "inability" to solve problems plaguing people, opposition parties have unitedly decided to 'boycott' the customary tea party hosted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Patil further said that 224 farmers have committed suicide so far this year and the government has made no provisions to provide assistance to farmers and livestock fodder.

Coming down heavily on the government, he said "students have to leave their studies to help their families grappling with drought. It seems the government has told district officials that they would be rewarded if they spent as little as possible towards drought assistance".

Vikhe Patil claimed the government has only used 42 per cent of funds allocated in last year's budget, which is an indication that it only wants to promote their flagship schemes that have no relevance to development.

PTI