The Legislative Council witnessed noisy scenes on Wednesday over the government’s decision to bring anganwadi workers under the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA). Proceedings were suspended at least four times before the Council chairman was forced to adjourn the House for the entire day.
The Shiv Sena took an aggressive stand, with Sena MLC Anil Parab criticising the decision. He was supported by Leader of Opposition Dhananjay Munde. Mr. Parab said, “If the government can’t even pay anganwadi workers a decent remuneration, how can it impose MESMA on them?”
Opposition members jumped into the well and shouted slogans. The proceedings were suspended first for ten minutes, and then another 20 minutes in the afternoon session. “The State has no right to impose MESMA on workers who feed lactating women and malnourished children,” said independent MLC Kapil Patil.
