Rajasthan Assembly's year-long 'Amrit Mahotsav' to begin on July 15: Speaker

Jaipur, Jul 10 (PTI) Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani on Friday announced that celebrations marking the 75th year of the House will begin on July 15 with a year-long 'Amrit Mahotsav' programme highlighting the state's democratic and legislative journey. Addressing a press conference at the Assembly, Devnani said the celebrations would commemorate the Assembly's 75-year contribution to democracy, governance and public service. He said the inaugural event on July 15 would bring together former and sitting members of the Assembly. "Discussions will focus on the evolution of parliamentary traditions, legislative practices, the dignity of the House, challenges before legislatures and the Assembly's digital transformation," he said. Former Assembly Speakers, Deputy Speakers and senior legislators will also be felicitated during the event, he added. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will be the chief guest at the inaugural session while Vice President C P Radhakrishnan will attend the concluding ceremony. Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde and Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma have also been invited to the celebrations. The Speaker said the Amrit Mahotsav would continue for a year and that four major programmes, including special sessions by parliamentary and constitutional experts on strengthening democracy, legislative processes and constitutional values, would be held. "An effort will be made to convey the glorious traditions of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly to the new generation through these events," the speaker said. As part of the inaugural programme, discussions will be held on 23 landmark legislations enacted by successive Rajasthan Legislative Assemblies. Former Assembly speakers, deputy speakers and former ministers will share their experiences on the social and administrative impact of these laws. The legislations to be discussed include the Rajasthan Land Reforms and Resumption of Jagirs Act, 1952; the Rajasthan Zamindari and Biswedari Abolition Act, 1959; the Rajasthan Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad Act, 1959; the Rajasthan Primary Education Act, 1964; the Rajasthan Lokayukta and Up-Lokayukta Act, 1973; the Rajasthan Right to Information Act, 2001; and the Rajasthan Guaranteed Delivery of Public Services Act, 2011, among others. Devnani said these laws had played a significant role in Rajasthan's social transformation, administrative reforms, expansion of education, transparency and public welfare. Former Assembly speakers Shantilal Chaplot, Sumitra Singh, Deependra Singh Shekhawat, Kailash Chandra Meghwal and C P Joshi, along with former deputy speakers Tara Bhandari, Ramnarayan Meena and Rao Rajendra Singh, would be felicitated during the celebrations. Former legislators elected six or more times and senior sitting MLAs will also be honoured in recognition of their contribution to strengthening Rajasthan's democratic traditions, he said. PTI SDA APL APL