By IANS,
Mumbai: The Adarsh Housing Society scam, in which several state politicians, bureaucrats and retired military persons are allegedly involved, Thursday rocked the Maharashtra legislative council, leading to its four adjournments during the day.
Following demands from a united opposition, the state government finally agreed to have a discussion on the issue next Monday.
The proceedings started with the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena combine moving an adjournment motion in the upper house seeking a detailed discussion on the Adarsh Society scam.
However, when Council Chairman Shivajirao Deshmukh rejected the demand, the opposition legislators rushed to the well of the house and started raising slogans against the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government.
“This is a very serious issue and the government must give an explanation,” demanded Pandurang Phundkar, BJP opposition leader in the council.
He was supported on the issue by Shiv Sena’s Diwakar Raote who pointed out that since IAS officers were involved in the scam, the matter must be discussed in the house.
Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat intervened to say that the Central Bureau of Investigation is probing the issue as was a two-member commission appointed by the Maharashtra government.
“The matter is also pending before the Bombay High Court and hence it would not be proper for the government to speak on the issue at this stage,” Thorat said.
Following the adamant attitude of the opposition, a meeting was held between the opposition leaders, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
After the house reconvened, Council Chairman Deshmukh announced that the Adarsh Society issue would be discussed Monday.