GANDHINAGAR: The Opposition Congress in the Gujarat Assembly has submitted a privilege notice to Speaker Mangaldas Patel against Minister of State for Home Amit Shah on the issue of the police allegedly pressuring MLAs to ask only "positive questions" in the House.

Terming the matter a "very serious issue," the notice said the police action was a breach of privilege of the members to put up questions to be answered by the Government during question hour.

Leader of the Opposition Arjun Modhvadia said the party MPs would be asked to raise the issue in Parliament if possible.

According to party sources, the police made at least six Congress MLAs sign blank forms meant for raising questions in the House.

The intention was to put only "positive questions" on their behalf so that the affairs of the Home Department looked bright. The police also reportedly approached some ruling BJP members but they refused to sign the blank forms.

The Speaker's secretariat confirmed receiving the privilege notice but could not say when it would be taken up for discussion for admission.

The Speaker also agreed to defer the date for admitting a question on the same issue from March 9 to March 29 at Mr. Shah's request.

The Minister wanted more time to gather information on the issue before replying to the question put up by Natwarsinh Thakore (Congress).

Mr. Shah told journalists that he had no knowledge of the incident and claimed that no such instruction was issued to the police by the Home Department. He wondered why the Congress members did not approach the Government.

Package for fishermen

Chief Minister Narendra Modi announced a Rs. 11,000-crore development package for fishermen.

Making a statement in the House, Mr. Modi said it would be implemented during the 11th Plan period and would benefit about 60 lakh fishermen in about 3,000 villages. The projects would be on the lines announced for tribals to provide basic amenities as well as infrastructure to poor fishermen and their villages.

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