Joshi was replying to a related question by members Vyamkappa Patki and Lalsingh Rathod. They wanted to know if the government had received any proposals for increasing number of divisions from various schools State-wide. Opposition members led by Chhagan Bhujpal demanded that the education minister announce a deadline for the action to be taken in this matter.

Opposition members, specially those elected from Teachers' Constituencies, also grilled the minister of state for school education over the issue. They alleged that requests made to District Planing and Development Boards about starting new divisions in schools were often turned down by the district guardianministers.

Patki submitted specific information about such demands in Dhule, Jalgaon, Ahmednagar, Sangli, Nashik and Nandurbar districts. It was revealed that out of 1,269 proposals requesting an increase in number of schools divisions, only 363 were actually sanctioned.

The members alleged that this resulted in school managements starting new divisions without proper permission from the State Government. Joshi had to bow down to the demands by the members.

Chief Minister Narayan Rane has assured the State legislature that a new act for returning land originally owned by Mahar people -- a scheduled caste -- but illegally transferred to others, will be enacted within next six months.

Rane was replying to a question by member Markhram Pawar during question hour. The chief minister said the high-level committee appointed by the State Government to give recommendations to resolve the issue, has submitted its report in 1996. He added that the new act will be similar to the one existing since 1974.

To theproposal seeking autonomous status for the State Election Commission, Rane said it was still under active consideration of the State Government.

The chief minister gave this information in written reply to a related question in Council. Rane, however, did not announce any deadline for the same. Various political parties have been demanding an autonomous status for the State Election Commission to ensure free and fare elections State-wide.