Nagpur.
The first day of second week of Winter Session took off with Assembly continuing discussion on Motion of Thanks to Governor C Vidyasagar for his address. Today is last day of discussion on the Motion of Thanks.
BJP’s Mangal Prabhat Lodha initiated the discussion further. He demanded restarting of closed metal markets in the State by resolving their problems. For this, the MNST scheme could be implemented. The Iron Man of India Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had breathed his last in Mumbai’s Chandanwadi area. But the area lacks nothing significant that could commemorate Sardar Patel’s memories. A grand statue of the great personalities should be installed in the area so that people could draw inspiration from his life, Lodha demanded. He also demanded accountability for babus on the lines of politicians and people. Those who had converted their religions should not face any problem while returning to their religion. Conversions are going on through ‘Love Jihad’. Many helpless girls are being sold in Gulf countries. A probe should be conducted as to how many girls have been sold in the past five years. A probe committee should be formed to deal with the issue, said Lodha.
Intervening in Lodha’s speech, an angry Abu Azmi charged Lodha with giving misleading information. In fact, he said, BJP is converting Muslims into Hindus.
Gulabrao Patil cited a live example and corroborated the ‘Love Jihad’ incident in his village.
Shashikant Shinde demanded the Chief Minister to include cash assistance among other measures announced in relief package to farmers. The Government is getting exposed on its empty promises on load-shedding, coal mafia and LBT. We have apprehensions that a plan is brewing on separating Mumbai from Maharashtra. State’s diamond traders are drifting toward other states. The Chief Ministers of other States come to Mumbai and take away with them many businesses of their choice to their respective states.
Chhagan Bhujbal demanded that the BJP-Government come clean on promise of scrapping LBT and toll and take a firm decision in this regard. There should not be any confusion. The Government should tell the House who will bear the expenditure on arrangements for over one crore devotees coming for Kumbha Mela in Nasik. How much Central Government will contribute? This issue was raised by the High Court as well. If a satisfactory reply is not given, the organization of Kumbha Mela could be stalled. Government should also clear its stand on cleaning of Godavari River. For Mumbai’s uplift, direct cash assistance should be given rather than forming a Prime Minister’s Committee. A decision on separating Mumbai will be taken by 12 crore people of State, quipped Bhujbal.
Dilip Walse Patil said the Government’s last man is Talathi/Gram Sevak. But 50 percent posts are vacant. If the recruitment is not done, many of Government’s schemes could get stalled. ‘Incentive’ should be extended to those who are setting up new industrial units in backward regions. The Government should implement previous Central Government’s atomic energy policies along with coal-based energy. Crop insurance announcement should be done in consultation with the farmers. Youths should be inspired for ‘fish farming’ by clubbing State and Central Government’s schemes. There is need to draw policy on housing at taluka-level. If coastal development is not done on priority, the related businesses could find their ways to other states. No mention of border issue points out careless attitude of the Government, said Dilip Walse Patil.
Sunil Shinde demanded naming of gardens, grounds and streets after Shiv Sena leaders including Balasaheb Thackeray and Datta Nalavade. He also demanded financial assistance to BEST services.
