August 22
Students from Portmore School, Shimla, and Government College, Dhami, witnessed the proceedings of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and interacted with Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Thursday. Before entering the House, the students met Pathania in the lobby of the Council Chamber at around 10.30 am. During the interaction, they discussed the functioning of the Assembly, the role of legislators and the parliamentary system.
Explaining the functioning of the state legislature, Pathania told the students that the Legislative Assembly is the law-making body of the state. He explained that the state is divided into constituencies, from which people elect their representatives, known as MLAs.The Speaker said the primary responsibility of the Assembly is to make laws for the people and address issues concerning the public. He also explained the process of government formation, saying that the political party securing the required majority forms the government, headed by the Chief Minister.
Pathania told the students that MLAs can raise questions concerning public issues in the House, to which the government is required to respond. He also explained the importance of the annual budget and the role of the Assembly in approving it. Explaining the role of the Speaker and the Opposition, Pathania said the Speaker regulates the proceedings of the House, while parties that are not part of the government perform the role of the Opposition by scrutinising government actions and raising issues concerning the people.
He further explained how debates and voting are used in the legislative process and told the students that a proposed law becomes an Act after it completes the required legislative procedure. Pathania described the Legislative Assembly as an important institution of democracy that enables citizens to participate in governance through their elected representatives.
The Speaker also invited the students to observe the proceedings of the House and wished them success in their academic and future endeavours.
