The House could not further any business barring calling attention motions and passing budgetary demands due to disruption by Shiv Sena members over the issue.
After eight adjournments due to disruption over issue of applying Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (Mesma) to Anganwadi workers, the state assembly was once again adjourned for the entire day on Wednesday. The House could not further any business barring calling attention motions and passing budgetary demands due to disruption by Shiv Sena members over the issue.
It was a day of chaos and unruly atmosphere as Shiv Sena MLAs gave slogans against Mesma and demanded withdrawal of Mesma for Anganwadi workers. Sena MLA Dnyaneshwar Chougule during fifth adjournment, tried to take away the ceremonial mace (or Spectre), which is kept in front of the Chair of the presiding officer.
State Government could not pass any bill as the state assembly witnessed continued disruption right from the word go on Wednesday. It was Minister for Women and child development who had made it clear that Anganwadi workers would be brought under the purview of Mesma.
Former Mumbai Mayor and Sena group leader fiercely demanded withdrawal of Mesma for Anganwadi workers. He said, "There are 97,400 Anganwadi workers who are paid a meager honorarium and they would be brought under Mesma as if they are government servants. It is injustice towards them and we would not allow the House to transact any business if Mesma for Anganwadi workers is not revoked."
The House was adjourned time and again amidst pandemonium and members from Shiv Sena as well Congress-NCP rushed to the Well of the House. When Congress MLAs chose against going to the Well of the House after seventh adjournment, Sena MLA Prabhu said that it was because of Congress-NCP rule that Anganwadi workers are in a miserable condition. Leader of Opposition in State Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil retaliated by saying that what were Sena ministers doing when Cabinet decided on Mesma? Minister for Women and Child welfare Pankaja Munde told the House that Mesma would be applicable for Anganwadi workers and it would not be revoked since during the strike of Anganwadi workers there were deaths of children. She questioned as to whether Opposition and Sena MLAs would take up responsibility of these deaths if they are against Mesma to Anganwadi workers.
NO BILL TAKEN UP
- Due to continuous pandemonium, a few members completed their speeches on budgetary demands amidst pandemonium. The budgetary demands for four departments were passed without Ministers' replies and no bill could be taken up for discussion in the state assembly.
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