Mephedrone is narcotic, ban it: MLAs


By Kartik Lokhande 
Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), cutting across party lines, urged the Government to impose a ban on Mephedrone or MD that was flooding the markets as ‘legal alternative’ to narcotics. The demand cropped up during a discussion on law and order situation in the Assembly on Thursday.
Vijay Wadettiwar, Deputy Leader of Congress, initiated the discussion under Rule 293. He accused the State Government of inept handling of rising number of crimes. He alleged that there were complaints against Director General of Police also. He urged the Chief Minister to create an atmosphere of confidence in people. Sunil Prabhu (Shiv Sena), Mangalprabhat Lodha (BJP), Varsha Gaikwad (Congress), Rajesh Tope (NCP), Shambhuraje Desai, Waris Pathan (MIM), Asif Sheikh, Abu Azmi, Vijay Kale, Sharad Sonawane, Ramesh Latke, Raj Purohit, Amin Patel, Manisha Chaudhary and others also participated in the discussion.
During the discussion, Jitendra Awhad (NCP) produced a packet of MD and said that it was being used as a cheaper alternative to cocaine. The components of MD are available legally and manufacturers just mix the components in proper proportion to produce the drug. A kilogramme of MD is being produced for Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000 but it is being sold for Rs 1,500 per gramme, he said. As Mephedrone was not banned under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the cops were unable to take action, he pointed out. Abu Azmi, Vijay Kale, Amin Patel, Waris Pathan also raised the demand of banning MD.
Meanwhile, during the discussion on the issue that was related to Home Department, as Home Minister or Minister of State was not present in the House, senior members Ajit Pawar and Chhagan Bhujbal (both NCP) demanded to adjourn the House till the ministers came. As Yogesh Sagar, who was in the chair, refused to adjourn, the Opposition members trooped into the well of the House. Cabinet ministers Baban Lonikar and Prakash Mehta tried to explain to the Opposition that they were in the House and taking notes as part of collective responsibility. However, the Opposition allowed the House to resume smooth functioning only after Ranjit Patil, Minister of State (Home), arrived in the House.
Several other demands were made during the discussion. These included steps to be taken to prevent atrocities against Dalits, policy action against Hookah bars, rehabilitation of Dalit families to another place if they were in minority in a village, special police stations for women, fast-track trials of various cases including Malegaon blasts etc.
BJP MLA Ashish Shelar raised the demand to impose ban on outfit named as ‘Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s Maharashtra Ikai’ for allegedly providing free legal aid to accused in 26/11 and other cases. His demand created quite a furore with Muslim members lodging a strong protest. Shelar later clarified in the House that he was not talking about the organisation founded by Islamic scholars, but of the one providing free legal aid to accused in terror attack case. 

(11-12-14) 

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