Mumbai : The state government got the important Right to Service bill passed in the assembly on Tuesday even as the opposition boycotted the proceedings of the house on the second consecutive day over their demand of complete farm loan waiver.
The opposition has decided to continue the boycott even though the government continued with the business of the house. “Congress and the NCP leaders would decide their strategy at a meeting in the morning before the house gathers tomorrow,” leader of opposition in assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil told reporters after the house was adjourned and the opposition leader had a meeting with Speaker Haribhau Bagde.
As the house convened for the business on Tuesday, the speaker called for the question hour. The opposition objected the decision demanding a discussion on the agricultural issues and the farm loan waiver. The speaker however decided to go ahead with the question hour as scheduled. This made the opposition to storm to well shouting slogans against the government. Many opposition members tore documents and hurled the papers towards the speaker.
The opposition members were demanding loan waiver for farmers who have been facing severe crop loss due to repeated drought, hailstorm and unseasonal rains. Revenue minister Eknath Khadse however said that the opposition is interested only in politics and doesn’t want to discuss the issue in the house.
The Speaker said he was willing to hear the Opposition side after the Question Hour. However, Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said there was no point in discussions when Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had declared that he will not accept the Opposition’s demand for loan waiver.
Vikhe Patil, who led the Opposition members to stage a walkout in protest, said they were boycotting the proceedings due to the government’s apathy towards problems faced by farmers.
The Opposition members squatted on the ground floor of the Vidhan Bhavan building and held mock proceedings of the Legislative Assembly in protest against what they called “government muzzling opposition voice.”
“It is unfortunate that the government conducts the proceedings disregarding the Opposition. It looks like the government does not want to engage the opposition into dialogue. This is the Gujarat model being implemented in the state,” Former Assembly Speaker and NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil alleged. “Earlier in times of confrontation, the presiding officer and ruling party leaders had spoken to Opposition members and brought them on board,” Walse Patil said.
‘Historic act towards curbing corruption’
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said this is a historic act towards curbing of corruption and bringing transparency and empowering citizens. “This bill will empower citizens to avail their right in a stipulated time with least efforts and cost. 110 services will be provided electronically and will be brought on e-platform,” he said while presenting the bill.
