Shimla, March 3: The Assurance Committee of the Punjab Legislative Assembly called on Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Speaker of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, at the Legislative Assembly Secretariat in Shimla on Tuesday.
The committee, which is on a two-day study tour to Himachal Pradesh, is headed by Chairman Sardar Devinderjit Singh Ladi. Members Dr Jasbir Singh Sandhu, Naresh Kataria and Sardar Ranbir Singh are part of the delegation. The Speaker honoured the visiting members with traditional Himachali caps and shawls. Assembly Secretary Yashpal Sharma was also present on the occasion.
During the interaction, Pathania said that Himachal Pradesh and Punjab share a long-standing relationship. He noted that sessions of the Punjab Legislative Assembly were once held in this historic building, which has a unique background.
Committee Chairman Sardar Devinderjit Singh Ladi briefed the Speaker on the functioning and procedures of the Assurance Committee of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, as well as the national e-legislative platform currently being adopted by the Punjab Assembly.
After the meeting, Pathania personally escorted the committee members to the Assembly House and highlighted the seniority and dignity of the Council Chamber. He said the building is not only a heritage of Himachal Pradesh but also of national importance. Construction of the building began in 1920 and was completed in 1925 at a cost of ₹10 lakh.
Referring to history, Pathania said that in 1925, Vitthalbhai Patel was elected Speaker of the then Central Legislative Assembly, defeating his British opponent by two votes. He noted that Vitthalbhai Patel, elder brother of Sardar Patel, was a barrister and that the Assembly then had 145 members. He also mentioned Frederick White as the first Speaker appointed in 1919.
Pathania added that significant legislations, including measures related to the freedom movement and women’s voting rights, were debated and passed in the same House. He also informed the delegation that Himachal Pradesh was the first state in the country to adopt the e-legislative system, which has since been implemented by around 22 states. He said even the Malaysian Parliament Speaker had visited to learn about Himachal’s e-legislative model.
The committee is scheduled to hold further discussions during its visit.
