The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, also known as the Vidhan Sabha, is the unicameral legislative body of the state of Uttarakhand. Established in 2000 following the bifurcation of Uttar Pradesh, the assembly serves as the primary law-making institution for the state. It is integral to the governance, policy-making, and legislative framework of Uttarakhand.
Historical Background
Formation of Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on November 9, 2000, as the 27th state of India under the Uttar Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2000.
Inception of Legislative Assembly: The Vidhan Sabha was constituted with members initially drawn from Uttar Pradesh's assembly constituencies in the newly formed state.
First Election: The first assembly elections were held in 2002, establishing the democratic roots of the legislative process in the state.
Structure of the Legislative Assembly
Type: Unicameral
Strength: The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly has 70 members.
Directly Elected Members: 69 members are elected from single-member constituencies through a first-past-the-post electoral system.
Nominated Member: One seat is reserved for a representative from the Anglo-Indian community, though this provision has been discontinued after the 104th Constitutional Amendment in 2019.
Constituencies
The state is divided into 70 assembly constituencies, reflecting the geographical and demographic diversity of Uttarakhand.
Key regions represented include Garhwal, Kumaon, and parts of the Terai region.
Tenure
The tenure of the assembly is five years, unless dissolved earlier.
Powers and Functions
Legislative Powers
Law-Making:
The assembly legislates on subjects in the State List and Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Laws pertaining to agriculture, water resources, forest management, education, and local governance are commonly discussed and passed.
Amendments:
The assembly has the power to propose amendments to existing state laws.
Financial Powers
Budget Approval:
The assembly reviews and approves the annual budget presented by the state government.
Financial bills, including those concerning taxes and expenditures, must be passed by the assembly.
Control over Finances:
No money can be withdrawn from the state treasury without legislative approval.
The assembly exercises control over the Consolidated Fund of Uttarakhand.
Executive Oversight
Question Hour:
Members hold the executive accountable by asking questions and seeking explanations on various matters.
Motions and Resolutions:
Through debates and resolutions, the assembly ensures transparency in the administration.
No-Confidence Motion:
The assembly can express a lack of confidence in the state government, leading to its resignation.
Electoral Role
The members of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly participate in the election of the President of India and the Rajya Sabha representatives from the state.
Constitutional Amendments
The assembly's assent is required for certain constitutional amendments that impact the federal structure or state boundaries.
Presiding Officers
Speaker
The Speaker of the assembly is responsible for maintaining order and decorum during sessions. The current Speaker is Ritu Khanduri Bhushan (as of 2024), the first woman to hold this position in Uttarakhand.
Deputy Speaker
Assists the Speaker in their duties and presides over the house in their absence.
Leader of the House
The Chief Minister serves as the Leader of the House, steering legislative discussions and policies.
Leader of Opposition
The Leader of the Opposition represents the largest opposition party and plays a crucial role in maintaining checks and balances on the ruling government.
Sessions of the Assembly
The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly typically holds three sessions annually:
Budget Session (FebruaryMarch)
Monsoon Session (AugustSeptember)
Winter Session (NovemberDecember)
Special Sessions
Special sessions may be convened to address urgent issues, such as natural disasters or critical policy decisions.
Major Committees of the Assembly
To streamline its functioning, the assembly operates through various committees:
Public Accounts Committee: Oversees government expenditures and audits.
Estimates Committee: Examines budgetary estimates.
Petitions Committee: Reviews grievances submitted by the public.
Rules Committee: Drafts and amends the rules of procedure for the assembly.
Privilege Committee: Addresses breaches of legislative privileges.
Role in Governance
Policy Formulation
The assembly plays a pivotal role in shaping policies aligned with Uttarakhands unique challenges, such as its hilly terrain, ecological concerns, and disaster management.
Development Initiatives
Laws and discussions often focus on:
Tourism promotion: A key economic driver for the state.
Infrastructure development: Improving connectivity in remote areas.
Environmental conservation: Ensuring sustainable development in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Disaster Management
Given Uttarakhands vulnerability to natural disasters like floods and landslides, the assembly frequently debates policies for disaster resilience and recovery.
Key Challenges
Regional Disparities:
Balancing the development needs of Garhwal, Kumaon, and the Terai regions.
Environmental Concerns:
Legislating for sustainable practices in a state prone to deforestation and ecological degradation.
Migration:
Addressing the issue of out-migration from rural areas due to lack of opportunities.
Connectivity:
Improving road, rail, and digital infrastructure in remote and hilly regions.
Significant Legislation
Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act:
Strengthened local governance by empowering gram panchayats.
Disaster Management Act:
Focused on building a robust framework for disaster preparedness and response.
Tourism Development Act:
Promoted eco-tourism and religious tourism, leveraging the state's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Achievements
Environmental Policies:
Uttarakhand has led efforts in renewable energy, particularly hydropower projects.
Improved Representation:
Greater focus on the participation of marginalized communities in governance.
Focus on Womens Empowerment:
Several bills passed to enhance womens rights and safety, including those related to education and employment.