Dharamshala: The winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly is set to take place at the Tapovan Assembly complex in Dharamshala from December 18 to 21 and its duration has been almost halved from seven days to four days this time.
The opposition BJP leaders have already warned that during this session, they would be taking out a protest rally named ‘Jan Aakrosh Rally’ against the government. The rally will be taken out on the first day of the Assembly session on December18 and the BJP leaders will slam the Congress government’s two-year rule.
Ahead of the session, security measures have been ramped up, with multi-layered arrangements in place to ensure smooth proceedings. Approximately 1,200 personnel from the police and home guards will be deployed throughout Dharamshala and the Assembly premises. Officials from various battalions across the state will arrive in Dharamshala by December 17.
Himachal Pradesh Director General of Police Atul Verma has been coordinating with Inspector General Abhishek Dullar and Kangra Superintendent of Police teams through online meetings, ensuring tight security arrangements. The Criminal Investigation Department has also been brought in to oversee the security preparations.
Assembly building refurbished with fresh paint, decorative lighting
The Tapovan Assembly building has been refurbished, with fresh paint and decorative lighting. CCTV cameras have been installed in Dharamshala town and Tapovan to monitor activities closely.
The entry to the Assembly will be strictly regulated, with police maintaining a list of authorised personnel, including officials, media representatives and other visitors. Identity checks will be mandatory, including for those seeking access to ministers’ offices.
IG Abhishek Dullar confirmed that surveillance had been tightened and security personnel had been stationed strategically across the city. Checkpoints have been set up at various locations to monitor movement.
Curtailing of session sparks discussion
The decision to shorten the session has sparked discussions among political observers, with some attributing it to administrative constraints and others pointing to the need for efficient legislative functioning.
The four-day session is expected to address key issues, including disaster management and the state’s fiscal health, providing a crucial platform for discussion despite the reduced duration.
This will mark another chapter in the tradition of holding assembly sessions in Dharamshala, reinforcing its significance as the state’s secondary administrative hub.
