Uttarakhand Government Shifts Budget Session to Gairsain Amid Political Debate
The Uttarakhand government has officially approved a five-day budget session to be held in Gairsain, marking a significant shift from the traditional venue in Dehradun. The session is scheduled to commence on March 9, beginning with the address of Governor Gurmit Singh. This decision follows earlier confirmation by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who stated that the assembly proceedings would take place in Gairsain instead of the state capital.
Assembly Questions Surge as Session Approaches
In preparation for the upcoming budget session, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have already submitted over 500 questions to the assembly. With nearly three weeks remaining before the session begins, this number is anticipated to increase significantly, reflecting the active engagement of lawmakers in addressing state issues. The high volume of questions underscores the legislative priorities and concerns that are expected to dominate the discussions during the brief session.
Opposition Congress Voices Strong Criticism Over Session Duration
The opposition Congress party has launched sharp criticism against the Uttarakhand government for the short duration of the budget session. Leader of the Opposition, Yashpal Arya, recently wrote a formal letter to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, demanding an extended 21-day session in Gairsain to allow for more comprehensive deliberations.
Garima Dasauni, the state Congress chief spokesperson, expressed concerns about the haste in conducting the session. "It is unclear why the session is being held in such haste. MLAs represent the people and want adequate time to raise issues, but they are being given little opportunity. There is virtually no time for detailed discussion on the budget," Dasauni stated, highlighting the party's stance that the limited timeframe could hinder effective governance and public representation.
Implications of the Venue Change and Political Dynamics
The move to hold the budget session in Gairsain instead of Dehradun is seen as a strategic decision by the state government, potentially aimed at decentralizing administrative functions and emphasizing regional development. However, this shift has sparked a political debate, with the Congress party arguing that the shortened session duration compromises the legislative process. As the session date approaches, the focus will be on how these dynamics unfold and impact the budgetary discussions and overall governance in Uttarakhand.
