In an uncommon sight, MLAs from opposition and ruling parties came together to express their anger against some officials who they alleged behave rudely.
In an uncommon sight, MLAs from opposition and ruling parties came together to express their anger against some officials who they alleged behave rudely. The members targeted Navi Mumbai commissioner Tukaram Munde for serving demolition notice to illegal constructions without taking into consideration local representatives.
BJP MLA from Navi Mumbai Manda Mhatre and Congress MLA Nitesh Rane alleged that they were treated badly in separate incidents by the officials. Speaker of the House Haribhau Bagde instructed chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to make a statement on the issue and said the officials should treat the people’s representatives with respect.
Mr Rane complained in the House that the information sought by him six months ago has not been given. “I had asked a simple question about the 320 people in Mumbai who are given police protection. I sent reminders but have not received any information in six months. One official, Supriya Yadav, has denied me information. Will the government suspend her ” he asked. NCP leader Dilip Walse Patil pointed out that no official can deny information when the RTI Act has been implemented. The Speaker also agreed that giving information is necessary.
NCP leader Jayant Patil supported Mr Rane and also narrated how BJP MLA Ms Mhatre was badly treated by an official. This forced the BJP to get into the debate and support Opposition Congress-NCP MLAs on the issue. Ms Mhatre alleged Mr Munde had ill-treated her. “Munde has been serving demolition notices to buildings without even taking us into consideration. I went to meet him but he did not give me time. After the CM told him to meet me, he made me wait for half an hour outside his office. No official has ever restricted me like this in my political career of 25 years. News has appeared in a newspaper about my house. This is an effort to defame me. And action should be taken against him,” Ms Mhatre alleged. She was referring to a news report in which her house has been declared illegal. BJP MLAs backed Ms Mhatre and demanded action against Mr Munde.
Leader of the Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil also supported some action against Mr Munde and said he had also been treated badly by the same officer earlier.
Mr Jayant Patil recalled a government resolution which states officials should treat the people’s representatives with respect and demanded action against the official. The Speaker agreed and said the CM would reply on the issue. Parliamentary affairs minister Girish Bapat later said an inquiry would be conducted by senior officials into allegations against Mr Munde. The report would be tabled in the Assembly.
