No quorum to debate on bill to ban plastic

Mumbai, Mar 18 (UNI) A Bill to ban plastic in Maharashtra could not be taken up for debate due to lack of quorum in the Legislative Assembly today.

Being the last day of the week, many members had left for their constituencies. The bill was taken up at the fag end of the proceedings.

There was thin attendance on both the treasury and opposition benches. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Patil insisted that the bill be taken up for debate.

However, when Wamanrao Chatap (Swatantra Bharat Paksha) pointed out that there was no quorum in the House, Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende issued instructions to ring the bell to bring in members moving around in the lobby in the House.

As the treasury benches members started trooping into the House, former Speaker Datta Nalawade said the bill should be debated only when there were enough members to speak on the important issue.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Patil agreed that a special sitting of the House was neccessary to debate the bill which will have far reaching impact on protecting the environment.

Devendra Phadanvis (BJP) moved a proposal to send the bill to the Joint Select Committee of both the Houses.

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