WHILE DESCRIBING the monsoon session as successful, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said the Opposition emerged as confused and weak during the debate on last week's proposal. In comparison, the ruling combination with a total strength of 225 members in the state legislative assembly ensured all subjects were adequately debated and responded to. Shinde said, “The monsoon session was successful with the entire ruling parties putting a collective effort. Whereas, the Opposition appeared weak and confused during the debate on last week’s proposal.” A total of 27 bills were placed before the House. Of these, 17 were passed. The supplementary demand of Rs 41, 000 crore was passed during the two-week monsoon session. The session, which began on July 17, concluded on Friday (August 4). The winter session of the Assembly and Council will take place in Nagpur from December 7. Addressing the media at Vidhan Bhawan premises, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said, “As compared to the ruling combine-BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP-which together constitute 225 MLAs, the Opposition strength was much less.” Yet, Pawar explained, “The government never dismissed the Opposition. To the contrary, it ensured all the issues raised by them were responded to and discussed at length.” Pawar said some of the important legislation related to reforms in Mathadi Workers, qualified seeds and fertilizers, which were referred to the select committee, would be taken up in the winter session. Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde, who is heading the committee, will look into the lacunas to make the legislation flawless. The government wants to ensure through the legislation substandard seeds and fertilizers are not allowed in the market and farmers are not cheated. The legislation was necessary to help farmers who have often complained about poor quality seeds and fertilizers. Earlier, Agriculture Minister Dhananjay Munde had introduced the Insecticides (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2023 and Seeds (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2023, which have proposed for making sale or supply of adulterated, non-standard or misbranded seeds and insecticides cognisable and non-bailable. However, the bill has been referred to the joint select committee for further improvement.
