Ahead of Maharashtra monsoon session MLAs denied entry in Vidhan Bhavan over COVID-19 test reports

Before the commencement of the monsoon session of the Maharashtra State Legislature on Monday chaotic scenes were witnessed in the Maharashtra Vidhan Bhavan premises. Several MLAs were not permitted inside the Bhavan as their COVID-19 reports were not available.

The two-day monsoon session of the state legislature is taking place in the backdrop of a raging COVID-19 pandemic.

Former speaker Haribhau Bagade and other legislators complained to the state Deputy Chief minister Ajit Pawar about not being able to enter the Vidhan Bhavan.

Pawar asked legislature secretary Rajendra Bhagwat to ensure that all legislators whose test reports are negative be allowed inside at the earliest.

He also summoned the local deputy commissioner of police and asked him to clear the crowd gathered at the Vidhan Bhavan''s main gate.

"Check the badges of members and their test reports first. Many members have got their tests done privately, allow them in if their reports are negative," Pawar told the legislature staff.

According to Vidhan Bhavan sources, as many as 2,115 samples for coronavirus tests were collected from legislators, ministers, bureaucrats,legislature staff members and journalists over the weekend. So far, 58 samples have tested positive, the sources said.