Nagpur: The Winter Session of Legislative Assembly-2016 began today the December 5, 2016. The usual debates, Question hour etc has not been scheduled for the first day of Winter Session of Legislative Assembly-2016 held in the Vidhan Sabha Sabhagruh. Under Rule-97, Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Haribhau Bagade advocated the discussion on demonetization.
The working of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly started at 11 am. As soon as the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly started, the Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Haribhau Bagade said that he denies all the demands under Section-97. However, he permitted Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil to speak. Vikhe Patil while addressing the house said that farmers and farm produce has been adversely affected due to demonetization. He claimed that the move to stop corruption and to root out the mobility of black money is certainly welcomed. However, lack of proper planning, study or research before implementation of the demonetization has caused poor people and common man to experience harrowing experience for the past 3 weeks.
He also pointed out that no one involved in having black money is seen standing in the queues for withdrawing money from ATMs. Standing in the queues of ATMs had claimed the lives of 60-70 common citizens. Some citizens lost their lives because hospitals refused to accept demonetized currencies. Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil raised the question that who should be booked under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code for the loss of so many lives?
Due to the rule which prevents the farmers from withdrawing money from District Banks, 90% famers are in distress.
NCP Leader Ajit Pawar claimed that the common man is paying a heavy price due to demonetization. He demanded that instead of stopping District Banks from continuing their business, they should initiate investigation of other banks involved in corruption. Ajit Pawar went on say that due to limited cash being loaded in ATM machines, the cash exhausts within 2-3 hours. On one hand 125 crores of Indian population does not have cash, while on the other hand bundles of newly launched Rs 2000 is found on dead terrorists. This is really an issue worth giving thought to. That is why, all the other issues should be set aside and debates and deliberations should be held in the house about demonetization.
Senior MLA Ganvantrao Deshmukh said that the queues in front of ATMs have not reduced at all. The common man is unable to utilize the money deposited by them in District banks. The State Government should answer and should also inform the house about the steps taken by the Central Government.
The State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar rose up to answer the questions raised by the Opposition party. Mungantiwar claimed that the demonetization of old currencies have been a historic decision. Nobody has opposed the decision. The State Government has made arrangements to reach new notes to every corner of the state. The State has also deployed officials, police officials and even a helicopter to transport new currencies to every corner of the state. The Government has made arrangements to reach notes to every place including a remote place like Sironcha.
When the issue will come up for discussion, various corrective measures will be taken after deliberations and suggestions from both the Opposition and ruling party. He said that after a detailed study, whatever is feasible will be implemented. Members of the opposition created ruckus in the house, surprised with the answer. The members of the opposition wanted a detailed discussion in the house. The members of the opposition had also gheraod the Speaker of the house. However, ignoring the ruckus, he went ahead with the points in the agenda and finished the session.
Meanwhile the Chairman of the house announced that for the successful running of the house some members (all MLAs) of the ruling and opposition party have been introduced including Yogesh Sagar, Sudhakar Deshmukh, Virendra Jagtap, Hanumant Dolas and Sanjay Raibulkar. The members of the opposition party left the house and went out.
As soon as the official work got over and when the condolence meet started, all the members of the opposition returned to the house.
During the condolence meet, Chief Minister and all the ministers and MLAs including the Ruling and Opposition party paid rich tributes to the members of the house who had passed away including Former Cabinet Minister Jaivantiben Mehta, MLA Ram Gopal Aswale, MLA Narsingh Rao Patil, MLA Baburao Kokate-Adaskar, MLA Ashok Sable, MLA Mahadeo Patil, MLA Manohar Tayde, MLA Chunnilal Singh Raghuvanshi, MLA Tatya Rao Jadhav and MLA Bimal Tai Borade.
The Chairman of the Legislative Assembly declared the end of the government work of December 5, 2016 and stated that the work will resume at 11 am on December 6, 2016.
– RAJEEV RANJAN KUSHWAHA
