Three-day winter session of Himachal Pradesh assembly from Dec 22

Pro-tem speaker Chaudhary Chander Kumar will administer the oath to newly elected members; governor’s address on December 24

The three-day winter session of the 14th Himachal Pradesh assembly will be held at the Vidhan Sabha Tapovan Complex near Dharamshala from December 22 to 24.

Chief minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu (second from left), his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri (second from right) with governor RV Arlekar and Congress leaders Bhupesh Baghel and Pratibha Singh while staking claim to form the government after winning the December 8 assembly elections. (HT file photo)

The first day of the session will see newly elected members take oath of office. Pro-tem speaker Chaudhary Chander Kumar will administer the oath.

The assembly will elect the Speaker and deputy Speaker on the second day, while governor RV Arlekar will address the new assembly on the concluding day. Since the session is being held immediately after the formation of the government, no business will be conducted.

Thanksgiving rally in Dharamshala

The Congress has planned a thanksgiving rally in Dharamshala on December 21 to express gratitude to people of the state, particularly Kangra, for giving it the mandate.

The Congress won 40 seats in the 68-member House on December 8. In Kangra, it won 10 of the 15 assembly segments, which helped it form the government. Party workers will accord a welcome to Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on his appointment as chief minister.

State Congress general secretary and Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania said that party workers from across the district will attend the rally and felicitation function. He said that people of Kangra, who have given a huge mandate to the Congress, are also eager to see their chief minister amongst themselves.

Cabinet expansion after assembly session

Sukhu said that the cabinet expansion will be held after the winter session. Speaking to journalists in Delhi, the chief minister said that the cabinet expansion will be done after discussion with the party high command.

Senior leaders are lobbying for ministerial berths, delaying cabinet formation.

As per the 91st Amendment Act, the total number of ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total number of members in the House. After the appointment of the CM and deputy CM, only 10 ministerial berths have to be filled.

Kangra is likely to be represented by three ministers in the cabinet. Shimla will also get two to three ministers, while one minister each will be made from among the MLAs from Sirmaur, Kullu, Kinnaur and Solan districts.