Ruckus in Legislature

The proceedings of the Maharashtra Legislature were stalled by the Opposition in both Houses on Thursday on the issue of providing houses to mill workers. In the Assembly,which saw three disruptions before it was adjourned for the day,Leader of the Opposition Eknath Khadse asked Speaker Dilip Valse Patil to allow a discussion on the issue by setting aside the Question Hour. Even as Opposition MLAs sat in the Well of the House and unfurled banners,Khadse attacked the government for its vacillation on the issue and added that the workers had not been given houses despite their agitations and promises made by the state government.

“The mill workers have built Mumbai and over the past 125 to 150 years. They have given their sweat to start industrialisation in this country,” said Ganpatrao Deshmukh of the Peasants and Workers Party. Shashikant Shinde of the NCP said even the ruling party members were in support of the mill workers getting houses and asked the state government to clarify its stand. Madhu Chavan of the Congress,while supporting the mill workers,criticised the Opposition.

In the legislative council,Leader of the Opposition Pandurang Phundkar demanded immediate discussion regarding the issue,setting aside the regular proceedings. Failing to arrive at a conclusion,the House was adjourned five times before being adjourned for the day.