Handore apologises in Mah Council for his remarks

Nagpur, Dec 14 (UNI) Maharashtra Minister for Social Justice Chandrakant Handore today offered an apology in the state Legislative Council after being pulled up by Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh for using unparliamentary language.

Mr Handore's apology came when Mr Deshmukh pulled him up after unruly scenes during which several opposition members and even the minister rushed into the well of the House.

The scenes were triggered off when Mr Handore requested the House not to defer a bill on eradication of superstitions and pass it today itself. The minister made the request while another bill was being discussed.

Mr Diwakar Raote (Shiv Sena) and several others objected to Mr Handore's remarks, saying the minister had not even sought the permission of officiating chairman Sudha Joshi before speaking.

At this juncture, Mr Handore made certain remarks, which were inaudible in the din and which agitated the Opposition members, who rushed into the well vociferously demanding an apology from the minister. Mr Handore also rushed into the well, triggering off unruly scenes for a while.

Mr Deshmukh came into the House during the uproar, and then restored order. He pulled up Mr Handore, saying his behaviour was improper and unbecoming of a minister, and that he had used unparliamentary language. Mr Handore then apologised to the Chairman.

When some opposition members demanded that certain remarks by the minister be expunged, Mr Deshmukh said he would examine the record of the proceedings and then take a decision.

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