Shimla: Students of Government Senior Secondary Schools, Sanjauli and Kariyali in Shimla district, met Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania at the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat on Tuesday. During the interaction, the students asked several questions related to the parliamentary system, the functioning of the Legislative Assembly and the election of the Speaker, to which the Speaker responded in detail.
The Speaker also interacted with the students and asked them questions about the democratic system, the Constitution and the history of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The students enthusiastically attempted to answer his questions.
Responding to a question on the parliamentary system, Pathania said that India’s parliamentary system is based on a federal structure comprising the Union and the States. He said India follows a multi-party system in which political parties field candidates in elections and people elect their representatives through voting.
He explained that during Assembly sessions, legislators raise issues concerning their respective constituencies through questions and under various rules, to which the government responds. While some members may be satisfied with the government’s response, others may remain dissatisfied.
Pathania informed the students that the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly has 68 seats. He explained that a political party securing 35 or more seats can form the government. The Council of Ministers is then constituted, comprising the Chief Minister and other ministers, with the Chief Minister serving as the head of the government.
He further explained that the Governor acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
Explaining the election of the Speaker, Pathania said that the Speaker is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly. He explained that the process begins with the Pro-tem Speaker, generally the senior-most member designated for the purpose, initiating the election proceedings. Candidates are then nominated for the post. If there is only one candidate, the candidate is elected unopposed. If there is more than one candidate, voting is held and the candidate securing the highest number of votes is elected Speaker.
The Assembly Speaker also invited the students to witness the proceedings of the House and encouraged them to learn more about the functioning of parliamentary democracy. He extended his best wishes to all the students and urged them to contribute positively to nation-building.
