'CM failed to discuss Anti-Jaadu Tona Bill'

Criticising chief minister Prithviraj Chavan for not bringing the Anti-Jaadu Tona Bill (earlier anti-superstitions bill) in the recently concluded Monsoon Session of the state assembly, Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) has demanded an immediate ordinance on the issue.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, MANS founder and executive president Narendra Dabholkar said that the chief minister Chavan has betrayed all progressive people in the state.
“This could be the only bill which has figured in the list of business for last seven sessions but never came up for discussion. Chavan had announced, in his press conference, before the monsoon session that this bill will be passed in the session,” said Dabholkar.

According to him, since 2014 is the year when the elections will be held and since the Lok Sabha election will be held after next year’s budget session, the Winter Session of the state assembly is the last opportunity for passing the bill.

Dabholkar said that all parties except Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiv Sena have supported the bill.

“There have been other bills which the ruling alliance passed on the basis of majority. The government should come out with an ordinance immediately and take the nod of the state assembly during the winter session,” he said.