‘Vidhan Bhawan premises urgently need expansion’
| Date :23-Sep-2022 |
Staff Reporter
Facing space shortage at Vidhan Bhawan in city during the winter session, Speaker Rahul Narvekar directed officials to explore plans to tide over the constraints, and possibly look for government land in the vicinity of Vidhan Bhawan. Expansion is badly needed and several plans are being explored and various options are on table, including acquisition of private building. However as of date no proposal is final, said Narvekar, even as he indicated that primarily focus is on tapping open space within Vidhan Bhawan campus as this is most plausible solution.
On political front, he exuded confidence that prevailing animosity in State politics would not hamper orderly conduct of the House.
Narvekar, on Thursday, quipped that thorough knowledge of rules makes the task little easy as same helps in navigating through the tough situations. Plus the legal background and understanding the intricacies of legislative business helps in smooth transaction of business.
The Speaker was interacting with mediapersons after visit to city for reviewing arrangements for the winter session of State Legislature during the month of December. He cited the first session of new Government, the monsoon session, wherein average sitting of House was 9.30 hours daily. This was the most productive
legislative session and yes there was some instances that caused trouble but when the senior members were told about the rules they too realised that later helped in smooth run. Similarly there was no adjournment despite the sudden change in political fortunes and this shows the maturity of parliamentary democracy in Maharashtra.
To a question he said, no unparliamentary conduct would be tolerated and added that Maharashtra Legislature is a premium legislative body and same is recognised at national level also. Senior leaders of Maharashtra also knows the stature of state legislature and the Speaker sounded hopeful of striking a balance between ruling and opposition while handing the winter session, though the same is known for political upheavals.
As to tenure of winter session, the Speaker said once Government business is finalised same would be discussed in Business Advisory Committee (BAC) and all parties then takes a call on its duration. No doubt during the session, preference would be given to discussion on issues pertaining to Vidarbha region and try to resolve them along with other pressing issues in the State.
Earlier during the day, the Speaker visited Vidhan Bhawan campus, MLA Hostel, Ravi Bhawan and saw current status and later in media interaction said 11 new chambers are ready at Vidhan Bhavan but still more infrastructure is needed. The audio system is going to be upgraded for immediate transcript of speeches and other aspects on seating and other requirement of offices and chambers is being explored. One wing of MLA Hostel is ready while other two are under renovation and officials were directed to finish the ongoing work at the earliest.
For last two and half years no session was held in city, hence massive upgradation work is needed to be done, particularly focus in on accommodation and offices within Vidhan Bhawan campus. The Speaker also visited other government land in viccinity to explore possibility of location temporary offices during the course of winter session.