Nanar, land scam, quota dominate Monsoon Session
Nanar refinery project, Navi Mumbai land scam, Shivaji memorial in the Arabian sea, Maratha quota and dairy farmers' stir dominated the monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature.
Under attack from Opposition for allegedly giving his "blessings" to an alleged land scam in Navi Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a judicial probe into the scam as well as over 200 similar cases.
During the session, the BJP-led government also announced increased rate of Rs 25 per litre of milk for dairy farmers following their four-day stir that had hit milk supplies to some of the key cities of the state.
The government came under fire for reducing the height of the planned equestrian statute of King Shivaji, to be erected off Mumbai coast. The CM assured that the statue would be the tallest in the world.
The government also announced, during the session, that it would write off farm loans of up to Rs 1.5 lakh of every individual farmer, provided he/she clears rest of the dues in advance.
Opposition sought to corner the government, in particular the BJP, by accusing it of dilly-dallying over its promise of extending OBC quota to the Maratha community.
The chief minister announced that 16 per cent of the 72,000 posts the government is set to fill would be allotted to candidates from the community in the form of backlog, if the Bombay High Court allows a quota for Marathas.
In all, the Assembly passed 23 bills. The Assembly and Legislative Council together cleared 15 bills.