Nagpur: The Legislative Council was adjourned abruptly on the first of Winter Session amidst uproarious scenes and war of words between the ruling and Opposition members of the issue of farm loan waiver.
As the proceedings got off to start, the newly-elected BJP MLC Prasad Lad took the oath as member of the Council. Later condolence resolution was tabled in the House. As the proceedings continued, the Opposition Leader Dhananjay Munde demanded discussion on the government announced farm loan waiver under Rule 282. Since it was the first day of the Winter Session, the Chairman Ramraje Nimbalkar rejected the demand but allowed Munde to speak on the issue.
In his speech, Munde termed the farm loan waiver as ‘Naitanki’ (Gimmick). “The loan waiver was announced in the monsoon session held in July. But still the farmers have not been benefitted. During my Dindi Yatra from Yavatmal to Nagpur, I have not met a single farmer in whose bank account the loan waiver amount has been deposited. On Sunday itself, a distressed farmer named Dnyaneshwar Rathore from Katol committed suicide. A farmer named Bhumne in whose house in Yavatmal the Chief Minister had stayed during his visit, is still awaiting the loan waiver. The government must table the list of beneficiaries in the House. The government has spent Rs 300 crore only on advertisements but no farmer has been benefitted,” Munde said.
In his reply, the Ruling Party Leader Chandrakant Patil took objection to ‘Nautanki’ word used by Munde. “Calling the Chief Minister ‘Nautanki’ is not proper language in democracy. Government is ready to answer every question of the Opposition and also ready to discuss the loan waiver issue. The facts should not twisted while talking on a subject. There is only Rs 50 crore budget for advertisements,” Patil said.
Earlier, the House was adjourned four times amidst uproar. Before the final adjournment on Monday, the Chief Minister assured to give reply on the issues concerning farm loan waiver in detail.
