Maharashtra government, opposition trade charges

Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) Maharashtra Industry Minister Narayan Rane Monday claimed that he had a list of the state's opposition leaders who had allegedly acquired land for different purposes at "throw away" prices.

"Some members like (Bharatiya Janata Party oppostion leader in the assembly) Eknath Khadse and (BJP legislators) Pandurang Phundkar, Devendra Phadnavis and others have acquired land at very cheap rates," said Rane.

Rane's statement was a direct counter to check the opposition, which has been going after the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government since a leaked report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) pointed fingers at 10 government ministers.

Rane was speaking in the legislative council after the opposition parties created a ruckus, demanding the tabling of the CAG report, forcing deputy chairman Vasant Davkhare to adjourn the House for 25 minutes.

"The government must immediately table the CAG report to enable us to have a comprehensive debate on it," Shiv Sena member Ramdas Kadam demanded of Davkhare.

The minister assured that the government is prepared to table the CAG report and follow it up with a debate.

Leader of Opposition in the council, BJP's Vinod Tawade said that the CAG report has indicted several top ministers of the government.

"Such scams must come out in the open and the government must clarify its stand on the issue," Tawade said, demanding immediate tabling of the contentious report.

Later, Minister of State for Finance Rajendra Mulak informed the house that the government would table the report in the legislature next Monday (April 16).