Gairsain or Dehradun – this is the question
PrashantNews
A group of Uttarakhand MLAs have asked Vidhan Sabha Speaker Ritu Khanduri not to hold the coming budget session of the Vidhan Sabha in Gairsain in the hill district of Chamoli due to inadequate arrangements there.
Confirming the development, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Premchand Agarwal said the government would take a decision on the issue in the next cabinet meeting.
When contacted, some MLAs belonging to the ruling BJP and Congress said they don’t have problem if the session is held in Bhararisain. “The Vidhan Sabha was built in Garirsain keeping in view of the emotions of the people of the state. We are ready to go to Gairsain if the session is held there,” said Virendra Kumar, an MLA from Jhabrera in Haridwar district.
However, kishore Upadhyay, BJP MLA from Tehri, said the arrangements for the people in general in Bhararisain are inadequate. “Bhararisain is not Gairsain. Bhararisain is situated on more height. There should be arrangements for the people in general for their stay and food,” said Upadhyay.
When contacted, Congress state President Karan Mahara said it would be better if the session is held at Gairsain since the weather has improved now. “What is the use of the Vidhan Sabha in Bhararisain if we don’t hold session there,” said Mahara.
Gairsain is an emotive issue in Uttarakhand with the parties like Uttarakhand Kranit Dal (UKD) and Congress wanting it to be permanent capital of the hill state. In 2017, Gairsain was declared the summer capital of the state by the BJP government. Dehradun is still the interim capital.