CM to inquire into Dr Kadam's absence from house

Mumbai, Jul 17 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today took a serious note of the absence of State Co-operation Minister Patangrao Kadam from the Legislative Assembly and assured the opposition that he will personally inquire into the matter and take necessary action.

The issue came up while discussion on the drought like conditions, looming in the state, was on.

Dr Kadam, minister for relief and rehabilitation, was one of the four ministers to reply on the issue.

He had explained his absence by giving a letter to the speaker, in which it was stated that he had to go to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka as part of his preplanned visits.

The minister's absence infuriated the opposition and BJP leader Gopinath Munde raised a point of order which was supported by leader of the opposition Ramdas Kadam, who said that no further reply would be heard as the ministers were repeatedly skipping the house.

He referred to earlier decision of the speaker that he would suspend the day's business, if the minister remained absent.

Intervening in the heated discussion, Mr Deshmukh, toeing the line of opposition no business was more important than the business of the house, said he would inquire and take appropriate action against the erring minister.

UNI XR/JM SR SKB ARB BD1712