Deshmukh hits out at Sena-BJP over Appropriation Bill

Deshmukh hits out at Sena-BJP over Appropriation Bill
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, AUG 4: All along Nitin Gadkari, leader of the Opposition, had been shouting hoarse over how the Democratic Front Government was delaying the introduction of the Appropriation Bill in the House. On Friday, the Bill was introduced, but Gadkari was nowhere to be seen in the Council.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who probably couldn't just let Gadkari's absence go by, said: "When the bill was not introduced, Gadkari was raising a hue and cry against the Government. In fact, a Sena-BJP delegation also called on the Governor to press for their demand. But when the Bill was discussed, Gadkari was not present in the House. I don't know why he left suddenly," Deshmukh said.

Gadkari, apparently, is in New Delhi to participate in a meeting of party MPs from Maharashtra to take stock of the projects pending with the Centre.

Launching a frontal attack, Deshmukh said the Sena-BJP led Opposition was responsible for the row over the Appropriation Bill. "As per the constitutional provisions, it is the prerogative of the ruling party to decide the agenda. The Opposition can not dictate on it. Under such circumstances, their demand to discuss the Appropriation Bill on priority was futile."

Deshmukh said though his Government was working within the framework of the constitution, the Sena-BJP created an impression that there was a constitutional crisis in the State following non-introduction of the Appropriation Bill and that a special one-day session will have to be convened to pass it.

"The constitution is very clear on the role of the Upper House. The Legislative Council has no right to recommend amendments to a Money Bill, while Gadkari was insisting on passage of the Money Bill with amendments. We told them that we will adhere to the constitutional provisions and under no circumstances, there will be any deviation from it," the Chief Minister added.

Deshmukh said though the Sena-BJP Opposition boycotted the proceedings in the Lower House, the official business was completed. "We had listed 12 bills before the House, out of which only two could not be passed. These two bills - the University Amendment Bill and a legislation for the irrigation development corporation will now be taken up during the winter session of the state legislature at Nagpur," he said.

On the role Governor P C Alexander to resolve the impasse over the Appropriation Bill, Deshmukh said since he is the constitutional head, he has been submitting reports of major events to him. "There were no specific instructions from Alexander on the introduction of the Appropriation Bill," he added.

While the session concluded on Friday, the Congress-led Democratic Front Government failed to introduce two major bills promised by the Chief Minister. Deshmukh had stated that his Government will bring in a comprehensive legislation for removal of hutments, which have come up after January 1, 1995 and also prohibit new hutments and a bill to gain control over coaching classes.

Following controversy over the Chhate Coaching Classes, Deshmukh had declared that his Government will introduce a new law to check coaching classes, but the bill was not introduced for obvious reasons.