Shimla, December 17: The winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly will commence on Wednesday in Tapovan, Dharamshala, and is expected to run for four days. During this period, approximately 450 questions will be raised, signaling a busy and contentious session. Both the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP have strategized for the upcoming debates, with separate meetings held late in the evening to finalize their approaches. A fierce clash between the two parties is anticipated, as both sides are preparing to address critical issues.
New Session Format with Zero Hour for Immediate Issues
This year’s winter session introduces a significant change: the establishment of a “Zero Hour,” a 30-minute window for urgent discussions on matters that require immediate attention, following the Question Hour. Unlike previous sessions where new proposals and bills would be introduced, this period will focus solely on pressing issues, encouraging more transparency and greater participation in the Assembly’s workings.
Chief Minister’s Absence and Leadership Changes
A notable aspect of this session is that Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will be absent for the last two days, on December 20 and 21, due to important meetings outside Himachal Pradesh. In his absence, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri will assume leadership of the ruling party. The Congress party has already made arrangements to ensure smooth functioning during this period.
Ruling Party’s Strategy and Opposition’s Counterattack
Both the ruling Congress and opposition BJP have developed detailed strategies for the session. The Congress has advised its MLAs to firmly support the government on key issues, particularly the implementation of six promises made under their electoral guarantee, such as the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and Mahila Samman Nidhi. The BJP, on the other hand, plans to target the government on several fronts, including the unfulfilled guarantees, unemployment, mining issues, drug trafficking, and law and order.
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The BJP is also likely to challenge the government on the 18 allegations recently submitted to the Governor, accusing the Congress of not adequately addressing these concerns. The opposition will scrutinize the government’s actions regarding job creation, arguing that the promises made to the unemployed have not been fulfilled, leading to growing dissatisfaction.
Congress to Showcase Development Achievements
In response, the Congress government plans to highlight its achievements over the past two years, particularly the progress made in development projects and welfare schemes. The Congress will emphasize its work for farmers, laborers, women, and youth, aiming to counter the opposition’s criticism. The session will also see the first round of questioning from six Congress MLAs who were recently removed from the CPS.
Key Legislative Bills Under Discussion
Several significant bills are set to be discussed and passed during this session, including the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holding Amendment Act 2024 and the Himachal Pradesh Passenger and Freight Amendment Act 2024. These amendments are expected to provide relief to institutions such as Radhaswami Hospital in Bhota, which faced challenges regarding land transfer issues. Once passed, these amendments will allow such organizations to continue their operations smoothly.
With both parties gearing up for an intense debate, the winter session is expected to be a critical test for the government, as it faces the opposition’s scrutiny on various issues while presenting its own track record of governance.
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