Shimla: “The proceedings of the House are conducted smoothly through mutual harmony, coordination and the cooperation of all members,” said Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania while interacting with students in Shimla today.
Prior to the commencement of the proceedings on the eighth day of the Monsoon Session, around 200 students from Army Public School, Dagshai (Solan), Institute of Legal Studies, Shahpur (Kangra), DAV Public School, Kumarsain, and DAV Public School, Tutu (Shimla), met the Speaker at Gate No. 1 of the Council Chamber before attending the proceedings of the Assembly.
During the interaction, the students asked the Speaker several questions regarding the functioning and proceedings of the House, the role of the Speaker, the formation of the Legislative Assembly and the Council of Ministers. Speaker Pathania responded to their queries in detail.
Explaining the parliamentary system, he said that India’s parliamentary व्यवस्था is based on a federal structure, with governance organised at the national and state levels through the Union and the States. At the Centre, Parliament comprises the Rajya Sabha as the Upper House and the Lok Sabha as the Lower House, while at the state level, some states have a Legislative Council along with the Legislative Assembly. The provision of a Legislative Council is applicable only in certain larger states.
Pathania said that he is the unanimously elected Speaker of the 14th Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. His primary responsibility is to conduct the proceedings of the House impartially and efficiently, for which he seeks the cooperation of both the ruling and opposition sides to ensure the smooth functioning of the Assembly.
Addressing the students pursuing legal studies, Pathania said, “You are the future advocates and judges of the country. You are the future of the nation, and it is your responsibility to uphold the democratic system, the rule of law and the values for which the country’s freedom fighters struggled.”
He said that many prominent leaders who played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle were barristers. Motilal Nehru, Vithalbhai Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Dr. Rajendra Prasad were among the prominent examples.
Addressing the students, the Speaker said that the Legislature has always maintained high traditions and dignity. He recalled that Vithalbhai Patel, as the first elected President of the Central Legislative Assembly, made significant contributions towards establishing parliamentary traditions and dignity.
He added that the functioning and traditions of the Himachal Pradesh Legislature continue to be discussed and appreciated across the country.
On the occasion, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania extended his best wishes to all the students and invited them to witness the proceedings of the House. Deputy Chief Whip of the Himachal Pradesh Government, Kewal Singh Pathania, was also present on the occasion.
