Kadam gives privilege notice against CM over ULC

Nagpur, Nov 28 (UNI) Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Speaker Babasaheb Kupekar today reserved his ruling on a notice of breach of privilege submitted by Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam against Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh over the resolution seeking to repeal the provisions of the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) Act in the state.

Mr Kupekar said he would seek a clarification from Mr Deshmukh and give his ruling after getting it. The Speaker also rejected Mr Kadam's demand that the discussion be stopped, as it was unconstitutional. The discussion had commenced and hence could not be stopped at this juncture, Mr Kupekar said.

Mr Kadam gave the notice of breach of privilege as soon as the House assembled for a discussion on the resolution at a special sitting this morning. Giving the notice, Mr Kadam said the Chief Minister had committed breach of privilege by assuring the Centre that the provisions of the ULC Act would be repealed in the state without consulting the Legislative Assembly first.

''The Chief Minister should have taken the House into confidence before making such a commitment,'' Mr Kadam said. This made the discussion unconstitutional, and hence it ought to be adjourned, he also said.

After the Speaker ruled that the discussion would continue, Datta Nalawade (Shiv Sena) and Narsayya Adam (CPM) spoke on the resolution. The discussion will continue.

UNI