Nagpur: The entire opposition barring MNS
and PWP in Maharashtra State Assembly today staged a walkout
over non-implementation of a bill giving reservation in
service promotions to the members of Other Backward
Communities.
Opposition Leader in the lower house, Eknath Khadse (BJP)
and others raised the issue during adjournment motion saying
the government was not implementing the bill on providing
reservations in service promotions to the members of OBC.
He said government was citing lame excuses and resentment
was prevailing among the OBCs.
Khadse said both the houses of Maharashtra Legislature
had passed the bill in 2003 after it first came up for
discussion in 2001. When both the house had passed the bill,
an Additional Secretary in Law and Judiciary Department
objected to its passing and implementation.
He said the Legislature was supreme and no bureaucrat can
challenge its authority. Khadse said first treasury benches
discussed it in the Cabinet meeting and held discussions with
departments concerned and now some officer was objecting to
it.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, who was present in the
house, said DF government had itself brought the bill and
there was no scope for doubting its intentions.
However, he said that after the Law and Judiciary
official`s adverse remarks, the state had sought opinion of
Advocate General which also went against the Bill.
Members cutting across party lines joined in urging the
government to implement the reservation in promotions for OBC.
Chavan said he will soon convene a meeting of officials
concerned from Law and Judiciary and other and invite
Opposition Leader for discussion.
Khadse said about 19 percent OBCs in the state are being
deprived of the benefits and today about one lakh members of
OBC community have taken out a morcha to draw state
government`s attention.
PTI
