2nd session in Nagpur?

Mumbai: The State government is considering a proposal to hold the monsoon session of the State legislature, beginning on July 4, in Nagpur, the second capital of Maharashtra. The decision will be finalised by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Girish Bapat said that all parties are in favour of the monsoon session being held in Nagpur, but it should be decided in a meeting unanimously. As per convention, the winter session of the State legislature is held in Nagpur, whereas the monsoon and budget sessions are convened in Mumbai.

Bapat said the government received a request from some legislators to hold the monsoon session in Nagpur and the government is contemplating it. “During the winter session, the assembly functions for very few days. Instead, if the monsoon session is held in Nagpur, the days of the work will increase. In Mumbai, there are many problems during the monsoon. Many officials and employees can’t reach office due to heavy rains in Mumbai. Whereas in Nagpur, the monsoon is not so heavy,” said Bapat. 

Manikrao Thakare, Vice President of the Legislative Council, said that as per the Nagpur pact, only one session is mandatory in Nagpur. “If the monsoon session is held in Nagpur, it can function for more days. Congress leader and ex-CM late Vilasrao Deshmukh had also considered it,” Thakare said.

Leader of Opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said, “We have no objection to the proposal, but the decision should be taken with the consent of all party leaders.”

Meanwhile, Revenue Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar said if all party leaders are ready, the monsoon session can be held in Nagpur. The ongoing budget session of the State legislature will end on March 28.