National e-assembly training centre soon at Dharamshala
LEARNING PROCESS It will be first such training centre where lawmakers from various states would be trained in automated functioning of assembly secretariat
The Tapovan complex of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly at Dharamshala is likely to get the first national e-assembly training centre where lawmakers from various states would be trained in automated functioning of the assembly secretariat.
“The Centre has proposed to set up a national e-assembly training centre at the Tapovan Complex of state assembly,” said Himachal Vidhan Sabha speaker Brij Behari Lal Butail, adding that additional funds had been sought from the Union government to fully computerise the Tapovan Complex.
The state Vidhan Sabha is first in India to go paperless with the implementation of e-vidhan pilot project costing `8.12 crore.
The speaker said if the proposal gets nod, speakers and legislators would be given digital training in assembly affairs at Dharamshala. NO LOCUS STANDI
Expressing his opinion on the justification of a second complex for the state assembly, Butail said currently the Tapovan Complex has no locus standi and was mere a white elephant as only a short session of a less than a week was held here in a year.
“Huge expanses are incurred on holding a session and Tapovan as everything has to be shifted from to state capital to Dharamshala. Besides, there is annual maintenance cost which runs into lakhs. Shimla is easily accessible from all parts of the state and the second complex would be justified if at least two sessions are held here,” said Butail.
He, however, said that some people were of the opinion holding of the Vidhan Sabha session at Dharamshala benefits the people of district Kangra and Chamba districts who get an opportunity to see proceedings of the House.
“If it benefits people, there is nothing wrong in having it here, even if it incurs some extra cost,” the speaker said, adding: “The structure will be utilised if the e-assembly training centre proposal materialises.” ‘DON’T RAISE IRRELEVANT ISSUES’
On the winter session of the assembly beginning Monday, Butail expressed hope that both ruling and opposition would cooperate in smooth functioning of the House.
I request, Butail said, all the members to not to raise irrelevant issues and the matters which are sub judice.
“I hope the members would discuss the pertinent issues related to general public and live up to the expectations of the people of the state,” said the speaker, adding that unnecessary hullabaloo in the House results in the wastage of precious time.
Meanwhile, Vidhan Sabha secretary Sunder Singh Verma said that among over 200 questions which had been received from the members, important ones were on the delimitation of panchayats, National Green Tribunal order banning tourism activities in the Rohtang area, recruitment of conductors in Himachal Road Transport Corporation, plying of new luxury buses and filling of posts lying vacant in various departments.
“December 3 will be treated as private member day in which four resolutions would be taken up for discussion,” added Butail.