Mumbai: Maharashtra Speaker Dilip Walse Patil on Tuesday apologised on behalf of the House after opposition raised objection over slender attendance of the members on the treasury benches when the Appropriation Bill was being passed.
Even though the bill was passed by a voice vote, BJP
member Sudhir Mungantiwar and the Leader of Opposition Eknath
Khadse demanded a poll saying that the numerical strength of
the opposition members was more than that of the treasury
benches.
"The poor presence at the treasury benches shows that
the government does not give any importance to the financial
bills," both Khadse and Mungantiwar said criticising the
government for poor floor management.
The speaker also said that absence of members on the
treasury benches was a "serious matter".
Along with deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, very few
ministers were present in the house at that time when the bill
was being passed.
Walse Patil said the bill has already been approved.
The Opposition members said the government can atleast
apologise to the house.
To which, Walse Patil said, "I myself apologise on
behalf of the House".
PTI
