Monday was a historic day for not only Nagpur but also Vidarbha region. For, permanently functional office of Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat was inaugurated at Vidhan Bhavan in Nagpur. Nana Patole, Speaker of Legislative Assembly, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Nagpur office of Maharashtra Legislature Secretariat. Narhari Zirwal, Deputy Speaker; Anil Parab, Parliamentary Affairs Minister; Dr Nitin Raut, Guardian Minister of Nagpur district; Sunil Kedar, Animal Husbandry Minister, and several legislators graced the occasion with their presence. After the inauguration ceremony, main function was held in Legislative Assembly hall in Vidhan Bhavan premises. Ramraje Naik Nimbalkar, Chairman of Legislative Council; Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister; Dr Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Chairman (Council); Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister; Anil Deshmukh, Home Minister, joined the event via video-conferencing from Mumbai and other places.

 

 

 

“Vidarbha is an integral part of Maharashtra and Maha Vikas Aghadi Government is committed to development of this region,” said Thackeray, while addressing the gathering via video-conferencing. He said that Vidarbha was close to his heart and assured to ensure that no injustice would be meted out to the region. While the Governments wanted centralisation of power, Maharashtra Government was working on de-centralisation and the new Secretariat office at Nagpur was a perfect example of this, he observed. Thackeray said that the new Legislative Secretariat office at Nagpur out would help solve issues pertaining to Vidarbha without requiring the people to visit Mumbai. “With this office, Mumbai and Nagpur, which is the home-town of BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, have come closer and our relation will grow stronger in days to come,” he said.

 

The idea behind starting the office at Nagpur was to ensure that State’s commitment to Vidarbha was not limited to State Legislature coming to Nagpur during winter session only. Referring to COVID-19 pandemic, he said that Maharashtra had not stopped even in such situation. Thackeray mentioned that Prakash Gajbhiye, the then MLC, had played a key role in raising the demand for the Secretariat office in Nagpur. Speaking on the occasion, Patole said that inauguration of the permanent office of Legislature Secretariat at Nagpur was a historic moment. “I am happy that we all are part of this moment,” he said. Whole world had stopped during COVID-19 pandemic. Legislature Secretariat office starting in city is an indication that a fresh start is being made, he added. He described the occasion as a ‘very significant development’. For, he said, the new office would benefit not only legislators but also people of Vidarbha. He also proposed to start a centre of Bureau of Parliamentary Studies and Training (BPST) at Nagpur. Anil Parab recalled that winter session of State Legislature could not be held in Nagpur in 2020 due to COVID-19. However, he said, the new office would strengthen the possibility of holding a session with regional participation in such exceptional circumstances.

 

Anil Deshmukh expected the new office to do justice to Vidarbha. Kedar termed the occasion as the biggest development for Vidarbha after ‘Nagpur Pact’. Ajit Pawar and Dr Neelam Gorhe also addressed the gathering via video-conferencing. “The new Secretariat office in Nagpur will be a blessing for the people of Vidarbha. The officers and employees who wish to shift to Nagpur must get transfer in this new Secretariat office. Government is also thinking over this,” said Pawar. Dr Gorhe demanded a similar office of Legislature Secretariat in Pune. Narhari Zirwal, while proposing a vote of thanks, raised various demands. He demanded that training programme should be organised for personal assistants to elected representatives. Also, he said that Speaker of Assembly, Chairman of Council, and other office-bearers of State Legislature should hold monthly review meetings at Nagpur apart from the meetings of various legislature committees. Rajendra Bhagwat, Secretary, Maharashtra Legislature, made the introductory remarks and also conducted the proceedings of the programme. Vilas Athawale, Deputy Secretary, welcomed the dignitaries. Legislators Nago Ganar, Adv Abhijeet Wanjari, Krishna Khopde, Vikas Thakre, Adv Ashish Jaiswal; former legislators Prof Jogendra Kawade, Prakash Gajbhiye, Yadavrao Deogade, Gev Avari, Dinanath Padole; Dr Sanjeev Kumar, Divisional Commissioner; Amitesh Kumar, Commissioner of Police; Ravindra Thakare, District Collector; Sheetal Teli-Ugale, Metropolitan Commissioner; Yogesh Kumbhejkar, CEO of Zilla Parishad; and others were present prominently.

 

Shift State HQ of some deptts to Nagpur: Dr Raut Dr Nitin Raut said that the new office was a big opportunity in democracy available to people of Vidarbha. “People of Vidarbha have got a platform to deliberate upon and raise issued concerning the region,” he said. He also demanded starting a centre of BPST at Nagpur, and also to start State-level headquarters of various departments in the city. Further, he said that a website of State Legislature should be made to provide all information about legislative business to people.

 

CM makes ‘Nagpurians stopping my voice’ remark in lighter vein In a ‘lighter vein’, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray during his speech said that “Nagpurians are trying to stop my voice” during the event on Monday. When Thackeray said this, all present there busted in laughter making the mood of the gathering light and jolly. CM joined the inauguration event via video conferencing. Due to some technical glitches he had to stopped his speech thrice. 

 

Vid supporters take out morcha Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti took out a morcha on Monday to Vidhan Bhavan in support of Vidarbha Statehood, and also against the electricity bills issued during lockdown period. The agitators tried to enter Vidhan Bhavan premises when the inauguration function of permanent State Legislature Secretariat office was underway. The agitators waved banners, placards, and raised slogans outside Vidhan Bhavan premises when police stopped them outside the gate.