Budget session of Uttarakhand assembly begins amidst Opposition protest

Legislators of the main Opposition Congress party and Independent MLAs protested and staged a walkout in the assembly during the address of Governor Lt General Gurmeet Singh to the house on the first day of the budget session that began on Monday in Gairsain.

Congress MLAs led by Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly Yashpal Arya reached the well and soon the governor began his speech as per the tradition on the first day of the budget session at Bhararisain Assembly building in the hill town of Gairsain. They protested in support of their demand to extend the tenure of the house to 15 days instead of present four days, Justice for late 19-year old girl Ankita Bhandari who was killed by a resort owner in Rishikesh in 2023, alleged deteriorating law and order condition in the state, non installation of smart domestic electric meters and alleged submission of national interest by the prime minister of India Narendra Modi to US president Trump.
The Opposition MLAs and lone Independent legislator Umesh Kumar shouted anti-government slogans during the protest in the house displaying placards in front of the speaker’s chair even as the governor continued his address to the house applauding the works of Dhami government.
Earlier, Yashpal Arya and other Opposition legislators, including Senior Congress MLA Pritam Singh, Vinod Kapri, Madan Singh Bisht, Harish Dhami, Anupama Rawat, took to a sit-in protest at the entry point of the state assembly prior to the arrival of the governor for guard of honour. They did not leave despite Chief Minister Dhami’s request to end the protest. Congress MLAs however ended their sit-in protest and cleared the way immediately after the police guard of honour to the governor and national anthem were over.
It’s notable that Uttarakhand assembly’s budget session for 2026-27 began on Monday at Bhararisain Assembly building at summer capital Gairsain of Chamoli district. According to the agenda of the day as decided by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) led by assembly speaker Ritu Khanduri Dhami will present its ₹1.10 lakh crore budget in the house after the governor’s speech in the second half of the day’s proceedings. Discussion on the budget layout and grants-in-aid are likely to be held on Tuesday.

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