Ranchi, Sept 11: In a ruling that went in favour of the opposition, Jharkhand Assembly Speaker Inder Singh Namdhari today announced that the ongoing monsoon session would be extended by three days in order to provide more time for debates on crucial issues. Before adjourning the house, the speaker told the members that the session would resume on October 08 after the Puja festival.

Namdhari's announcement followed Chief Minister Arjun Munda's decision yesterday to entrust to the speaker the final decision on his proposal for a special session to discuss the amendment to the Panchayati Raj Act as he wished a full house to debate the proposed changes in it. Responding to Munda's gesture, Namdhari had ruled that instead of adjourning the present session sine die he would announce a date for an 'extended' session, thus ending the stalemate between the ruling coalition and the opposition.

The opposition, which was against the 'short' five-day session, welcomed Munda's decision and took part in the proceedings today.

Bureau Report