Members of the Shiv Sena and opposition Congress-NCP created ruckus in the Legislative Assembly today, seeking withdrawal of the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) invoked against anganwadi workers to stop them from going on strike.
The Assembly witnessed eight adjournments before presiding officer Yogesh Sagar put the budgetary demands to vote amid noisy scenes and finally adjourned the House for the day.
Aggressive Shiv Sena members climbed the Speaker's podium and shouted slogans over the demand. Party MLA Dyanraj Chougule even lifted the Speaker's mace.
The issue of MESMA invoked against anganwadi workers was raised by Sena member Vijay Auti as soon as the house met for the Question Hour.
He said the government has announced a hike in the anganwadi sevika's honorarium from Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,500.
"But, it is yet to issue a Government Resolution (GR). We appoint widows, poor and destitute women as anganwadi sevikas. Yet, you bring these women under the MESMA," he said demanding that the MESMA be withdrawn against the anganwadi workers.
The demand was supported by Opposition Congress-NCP.
The state government had last week invoked the MESMA against strikes by workers of anganwadi, the state-run women and child care centres, after consultations with the law and judiciary department.
Speaking in the Assembly today, Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde saidmembers can raise the issue through proper discussion and the government can arrive at an appropriate decision.
"Once the Act is enforced, it can't be withdrawn. If anganwadi workers go on strike, it will affect the nutrition of infants and children. If something adverse happens to the kids, will you take the responsibility?" she asked the members.
She said honorarium of the anganwadi workers had been increased and their grievances were being addressed to.
Auti said if the MESMA is enforced against anganwadi workers, it will not be right to call Maharashtra a progressive state.
Since Munde was adamant on her stand, Sena and opposition members were aggressive.
Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said the opposition will not allow the House to function till the MESMA invoked against the anganwadi workers was withdrawn.
Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar took a dig at the government saying the International Women's Day was celebrated with pomp on March 8.
"However, dictatorial attitude of the government continues. Majority of the members are demanding withdrawal of the MESMA against the anganwadi workers," he said adding that they (workers) get Rs 150 per day and the honorarium should be increased.
Sena and members of the Opposition parties rushed to the Well shouting slogans in support of their demand.
Munde urged the members to consider the children's situation if the anganwadi workers go on strike.
"During their strike, 125 malnourished children died. Who is responsible? Don't fall prey to the politics of the anganwadi workers' associations," she said.
The Sena members climbed the Speaker's podium and shouted slogans. However, BJP MLAs shouted slogans against Shiv Sena asking them to first understand the MESMA.
Sena legislator Dyanraj Chougule lifted the Speaker's mace to register the party's protest.
Sena member Sunil Prabhu said anganwadi workers are not the state government employees as they get only honorarium for their services.
"If they can be brought under the MESMA, then the government should implement the Seventh Pay Commission for them," he said.
Prabhu highlighted the facilities for anganwadi workers in Madhya Pradesh and slammed the Congress-NCP for not doing enough for them during their 15-year rule in the state.
BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar said MESMA was brought by the Congress during the Emergency.
Congress members were on their feet lashing out at the Sena for agreeing to the proposal of invoking MESMA against anganwadi workers in the cabinet. "Don't blame us for your mishandling," Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said.
The Chair rushed through the day's business and put the budgetary demands to vote amid noisy scenes and adjourned the House for the day.
Later, Vikhe Patil in a statement described Shiv Sena's protest in the House, including its member's act of lifting the speaker's mace as mere "drama".
"If the party has guts, it should oppose the government's decision in the cabinet.
"Instead of disrupting the proceedings of the House, Shiv Sena should oppose the decision in the cabinet. Their intention was to disrupt proceedings. If the party in power goes to the extent of lifting the speaker's mace, it reflects their helplessness and not sincerity," he said.
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