Appropriation bill passed amidst walk-out by Oppn

Mumbai, Mar 28 (UNI) The Maharashtra Appropriation (Supplementary) Bill was passed in the Legislative Council by a voice vote after uproarious scenes by the Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP, who staged a walk-out.

However, before walking out of the Upper House, the Opposition threatened the ruling party that they would resort to 'sit-in' in the well of the House from tomorrow to protest the government action.

The Opposition members were demanding that the government should reveal the Governor's letter or written directive he had given to the government while signing the Bill, which was to be tabled last week.

The bill was tabled in the House today by Finance Minister Jayant Patil.

However, Mr Gadkari raised a point of order and demanded that the Finance Minister should tell the House what remarks Governor S M Krishna had made while signing the bill and why it was delayed for several days.

Mr Patil replied that he could not get the time from the Governor earlier as he was unwell and was later preoccupied with some work.

Mr Patil said that he alongwith Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh met the Governor, who gave the permission to table the bill.

He also said that the Governor has not made any remarks on the bill.

At this stage, Mr Gadkari demanded that whether Mr Krishna gave any letter to the government to which Mr Patil said he will have to check the same.

As the Opposition continued with their demand that the House should be told about the written instructions from the Governor, Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh ruled that the issue of giving the letter by Governor to the government can not be the part of the proceedings.

Angered by this ruling, Mr Gadkari said that as a protest against this anti-democratic stand, the Opposition members were staging a walk out.

Immediately in the absence of the Opposition, the bill was passed by the House.

The Opposition members returned to the House when Leader of the Opposition Pandurang Phundkar said since their demand was not accepted, they were staging a walk out and from tomorrow they would resort to a 'sit-in' in the well of the House to protest against 'the dictatorial approach'.

Gurunath Kulkarni (NCP) took objection over the remarks of Mr Gadkari and others.

Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh said he had taken the statements made by the opposition members seriously and would call a meeting of all the group leaders on this issue.

Later, Mr Patil also said that the Governor had not given any letter to the government after signing the appropriation bill.

UNI JM KD MSJ RK1903