GAIRSAIN(CHAMOLI): The five-day budget session of the Uttarakhand Assembly commenced at Bhararisain on Monday amid protests from the Opposition Congress MLAs during the Governor’s opening address.
Opposition MLAs gathered at the well of the House and chanted "Governor, go back," as Governor Lieutenant General (Retd) Gurmeet Singh stood to deliver his customary address. Raising slogans against the government, some members attempted to approach the dais but were stopped by assembly marshals. Despite the chaos, the Governor remained composed and continued his address.
In a departure from tradition, the state government is set to present its budget on the very first day of the session—a rare occurrence in Uttarakhand’s political history.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is expected to table the financial statement for the fiscal year 2026-27 later on Monday afternoon.
Reflecting on the government’s agenda, the Governor’s address highlighted key policy priorities, the achievements of the past year, and a roadmap for the state's future development. Political analysts view this address as a crucial indicator of the administration's strategic direction for the coming year.
The five-day budget session opening on Monday has already seen significant legislative activity, with the Assembly Secretariat receiving more than 600 questions from members of both the treasury and opposition benches. Along with the bills, the government will also table annual performance reports of various departments and commissions.
Anticipating potential volatility, the administration has implemented extensive security measures across the assembly complex and the surrounding areas in Bhararisain to ensure the smooth conduct of proceedings.