Nagpur.
Assembly was adjourned for 30 minutes amid Opposition din over Call Attention Motions on the fourth day of Winter Session.
Former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and former Speaker Dilip Walse Patil moved a Call Attention Motion over poor condition of dairy product producers and resolving of their problems.
Replying to the motion, Dairy Development Minister Eknath Khadse said that a joint meeting of experts and people’s representatives and presided over by Speaker will be convened the next Tuesday. After deliberations in the meeting a firm decision will be taken before the conclusion of Winter Session. The Government is with consumers and dairy product producers and not supportive of middlemen and private businessmen. Milk producers sell milk at Rs 18-20 per litre to cooperative societies and the societies in turn sell milk at Rs 35-40 per litre to consumers. The huge difference is gobbled up by middlemen. Government intention is to reduce the gap, said Khadse.
On the other hand, Government is taking a decision soon to improve overall condition of cooperative societies. The State Government has demanded the Central Government to extend consolation grant for milk producers. The Food and Drugs Administration officials have been directed to act tough on spurious milk and the action is being taken.
However, as soon as the Speaker Haribhau Bagde took up another Call Attention Motion, Opposition members started creating uproar. The Speaker tried to calm down the chaotic members but failed. Finally, he adjourned the House for 30 minutes.
Chhagan Bhujbal and Minister Girish Bapat demanded the Speaker to issue a circular to members of the House and direct them to follow the rules and regulations. Vijay Wadettiwar suddenly stood up and said the demand of Bhujbal and Bapat is for new members of the House but if the experienced member like minister Subhash Desai did not follow the rules he should be summoned. Entire Opposition supported Wadettiwar and started creating uproar.
Outside the House, Ajit Pawar addressed the media and said that the BJP Government has no intention of helping the distressed farmers. The Ruling Party leaders are just blaming the previous Government but not announcing any measures to mitigate the problems of farmers specifically the cotton and soybean producers. The milk producers are at the mercy of middlemen and private businessmen. The BJP Government is anti-farmers, charged Pawar.
“The BJP ministers are replying the questions as if they are still in opposition,” quipped Pawar.
