Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today assured the state Legislative Assembly that the government will ensure passage of all bills only after discussion in the House.
Responding to opposition Congress-NCP members' criticism that some bills were passed in the Lower House without discussion, Fadnavis said rules of the Legislature should be adhered to by everyone.
"There have been occasions in the past (during Congress-NCP regime) when discussion on bills was stopped," Fadnavis said.
"On an amendment bill, there have been times when the discussion has progressed for three hours at a stretch in topics not pertaining to the bill," he said.
"This House is for enacting legislations. This is our primary responsibility. I fully agree with you (Opposition) that bills should not be passed sans discussion," the Chief Minister said, adding, "I remember, then (during Congress-NCP rule), several bills were passed without discussion."
"I feel that no bill should be passed without debate. If this has happened, corrective steps will be taken. I assure you that all bills henceforth will be cleared only after discussion," he said.
Former deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar said discussion should be taken up on bills, which if rejected by the Legislative Council, will anyway come back to the Assembly for passage.
Congress-NCP enjoy majority in the Council.
State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, dismissing Pawar's plea, said, "if everything has to be done as per rules, then even the Council could be dissolved by the Assembly, as per rules.
