House was prorogued without playing the national anthem: Fadnavis criticises Council chairman

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday criticised the Chairman of the Legislative Council Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar for proroguing the Upper House “without playing the national anthem”.

Fadnavis said he would soon meet the state Governor to apprise him of the matter.

Addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the session in Nagpur on Thursday, Fadnavis, without naming Nimbalkar, said, “The conduct of the Council Chairman was not as per the standards and practice. The House was prorogued by the Chairman without playing the national anthem.”

“Later, the members were again called in and the anthem was played. This has happened for the first time,” he added.

Fadanvis said he would meet the state Governor C Vidyasagar Rao in this regard and bring to his notice the “behaviour” of the Chairman as well as the disruptions in the Council.

The Chief Minister also said the Opposition was a “confused” lot, who caused six disruptions in the Upper House on Thursday.

“Congress and NCP had complete disregard for the democratic process. By virtue of simple majority in the House, Opposition disrupted the proceedings of the Council,” he said.

Fadnavis said the Opposition alleged that there was a tur dal scam worth Rs 4,000 crore in the state. “But the total seizure of tur dal in Maharashtra was not more than Rs 100 crore. I do not know how they arrived at this figure,” he said.

“All through the session, the Opposition tried to hurl baseless charges at the government and ministers but failed to furnish proofs. What was unfortunate was that they did not wait to hear to the replies by the government. It was virtually a hit and run,” he said.

“Is it the way how a constructive Opposition should work?” he asked.

Talking about the business transacted in both the Houses, Fadanvis said Vidarbha got the best deal during the 13 sittings of the state Legislature that commenced from 7 December.

“The session in the second capital is meant to focus on this region. The Opposition was in disarray and failed in its duties but the government did its best keeping its focus on the region,” said Fadnavis at the post-session media briefing.

“We managed to get 13 Bills passed in both the Houses of the Legislature. This would help in better revenue collection, removing of red tape for common man. Some Bills could not be tabled because of disruption caused by the Opposition. We need be we will bring out relevant ordinances,” he said.

Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse, Industries Minister Subhash Desai, Transport Minister Diwakar Raote, Energy Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and other cabinet colleagues were also present on the occasion.

Among the important decisions taken here, Fadanvis listed the Rs 10,500 crore relief package for drought-hit farmers, suspension of toll collection by IRB in Kolhapur, massive road building project in 19 districts of Vidarbha and Marathwada wherein each of these districts would get Rs 500 crore, in-principle approval for lower power tariff to industrial consumers in Vidarha and Marathwada.

Elaborating on farm relief package, Fadanvis said, “The situation is very grim and farmers have lost four crops in a row. So we sincerely tried to bail out the cultivators.”

“The crop loan waiver cleans up banks’ balance sheets and not a penny of it reaches farmers. The UPA did the same thing and banks and financial institutions were benefited. But the relief we announced by way of compensation, insurance dues and schemes like farm pond on demand would directly benefit farmers,” he claimed.