Issue of fall in onion prices rocks Mah Assembly

Mumbai, Apr 3 (UNI) The issue of drastic fall in onion prices rocked the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly today with Opposition Shiv Sena-BJP accusing the government of not taking steps to assure minimum support price for the farmers.

As soon as the House assembled at 1300 hrs after a four-day break, Leader of Opposition Ramdas Kadam said a few days ago State Marketing Minister Harshvardhan Patil had told the Legislative Assembly that the Government will come out with its onion policy.

''He is yet to make statement in this regard,'' Mr Kadam said.

He also said the angry farmers had hurled onions at Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar yesterday.

Mr Kadam was supported by BJP leader Gopinath Munde, who demanded that the Government announce definite steps to arrest the steep fall in onion prices.

Opposition members then rushed to the well of the House carrying onions and shouted slogans.

Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar adjourned the House for 10 minutes.

Later, presiding officer Girish Bapat announced two adjournments for 10 minutes each.

Mr Bapat however informed the House that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Opposition leaders and Mr Patil were discussing the issue.

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