Chairman and his deputy express regrets for not allowing division

Mumbai, Apr 21 (UNI) The opposition ire over refusal of their demand for voting over a bill passed by a voice vote in Maharashtra Legislative Council yesterday night was resolved today when Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh and his deputy Vasant Davkhare expressed regrets amid seven adjournments.

The Maharashtra Agriculture Produce Marketing Bill was adopted in the Council by voice vote after discussion late last night notwithstanding the demand for division made by by Shiv Sena member Deepak Sawant and others. Mr Davakhare, who was presiding, ran through the proceedings instead of accepting the demand for voting.

This irked the Sena and BJP members, leading to pandemonium and adjournment of the House. However, Mr Davkhare expressed regrets when the House reassembled.

When the Council met this morning to discuss last week's motion on the state of education in Maharashtra, opposition members declined to participate in the debate, saying Leader of the Opposition Pandurang Phundkar and Sena leader Madhukar Saportdar had not yet arrived. Mr Davkhare adjourned the House for 35 minutes.

Later, Mr Sarpotdar informed the Chair that since Mr Phundkar was yet to arrive, they will not participate in the proceedings. The House was again adjourned for 30 minutes.

Subsequently, the Council witnessed five more adjournments during which the opposition and treasury held negotiations in the Chairman's chamber to resolve the last night's issue. The 30-minute Question Hour lapsed and the last week's motion also could not be tabled because of repeated adjournments.

Finally, after hearing Mr Phundkar, Mr Sarpotdar, Mr B T Deshmukh (Ind) and Mr Jayant Patil (PWP), the Chairman expressed regrets and said his deputy had offered it yesterday and, therefore, the matter should be treated as closed. While agreeing that division should have taken place when demanded by a member, he, however, said Chairperson can exercise discretion under rule 41.

Underlining the need for discussion on procedures in the House, the Chairman said he would convene a meeting of group leaders of all the parties and of the rules and business advisory committees to sort out such issues.

Then he announced completion of the Question Hour and started further proceedings putting a curtain on the last night controversy.

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