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Coffee with HT: ‘36-hour UP special session on Gandhi will be a first in country’
The Uttar Pradesh assembly will hold a special session commencing at 11am on October 2 to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The session will have
The Uttar Pradesh assembly will hold a special session commencing at 11am on October 2 to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The session will have a 36-hour marathon discussion on sustainable development goals (SDGs adopted by the United Nations.
The United Nations had adopted the SDGs as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all the people enjoyed peace and prosperity by 2030.
“This is for the first time that a legislature in the country will hold an uninterrupted sitting for 36 hours to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary and discuss the 17 SDGs,” said Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha speaker Hriday Narayan Dikshit.
“We will urge the members to hold discussions freely and without any tension,” said Dikshit. The credit for convening a special session for a debate on the SDGs should go to chief minister Yogi Adityanath, he said, adding the leaders of all the parties had assured him of their participation in the special session.
Dikshit exuded confidence that the members of all the parties would take part in the special session and join the debate, which may stretch till late hours.
Dikshit said the issue of holding a special session to discuss the SDGs was not new. It was discussed at a conference of presiding officers in Patna and also at a meeting of leaders of different political parties recently, he said.
The state cabinet recently decided to hold 36-hour long session to discuss the SDGs. Dikshit said there was no specific reason to have an uninterrupted session. The members were keen to attend the session as this would be a unique experience for them too. No extra arrangements, like setting up special lobbies etc, were being made for the special session, he clarified.
There was already a canteen atthe central hall and directives have been issued to keep the same open till theassembly was in session, said Dikshit.He said the members would also be given special material about Mahatma Gandhi. About reports that the Opposition may not take part in the special session, speaker said leaders of all the parties had assured him to take part. He said some leaders wanted more sittings, instead of holding a 36-hour session. Later all of them agreed, said Dikshit.
There had been no occasion during the 17th Vidhan Sabha when the House had to be adjourned for lack of quorum, he said.
Replying to a question, Dikshit said he favoured sensitisation of legislators on gender issues.
He also said gender equality was one of 17 SDGs that the House would discuss at the special session.
17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
No poverty
Zero hunger
Good health and well being
Quality education
Gender equality
Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic growth
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Reduced inequalities
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Climate action
Life below water
Life on land
Peace justice and strong institutions
Partnerships
