Shimla (Kameshwar Sharma): The Himachal Assembly Petition Committee held a key meeting on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania at the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat. The committee reviewed several public petitions, discussed pending cases, and issued important directions to various government departments.
Committee member and MLA Chandrashekhar also attended the meeting. Assembly Secretary Yashpal Sharma presented petitions related to different departments before the committee for detailed discussion.
Committee Reviews Health, Education and Personnel Cases
During the Himachal Assembly Petition Committee meeting, members heard three petitions related to the Health and Family Welfare Department and one petition concerning the Personnel Department.
The committee also examined eight petitions related to the Education Department. It ordered fresh inquiries in six cases.
Meanwhile, one case remained pending before a court, while another awaited the department’s response. Therefore, the committee deferred both matters until further review.
Relief for Compassionate Appointment Applicants
The Himachal Assembly Petition Committee also discussed compassionate appointment cases.
Education Department officials informed the committee that the state government had approved a new policy for applicants whose requests were earlier rejected due to the income ceiling.
Furthermore, officials said the government would notify the policy within the next one or two days.
The committee directed all concerned departments to inform eligible applicants immediately. It also instructed authorities to allow them to submit fresh applications within one month so they can benefit from the revised policy.
Power Department Cases Also Reviewed
The committee reviewed six petitions related to the Electricity Department.
Officials resolved two cases during the meeting. Additionally, the committee ordered fresh examinations in two other cases.
The remaining two petitions will stay pending until the department submits its responses.
Committee Shares Progress Report
After the meeting, Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania shared an update on the committee’s work.
He said the Himachal Assembly Petition Committee has received 118 petitions so far. Out of these, the committee has disposed of 55 petitions.
Moreover, it returned four petitions because they lacked sufficient grounds.
Departments have yet to submit replies in 32 cases. Meanwhile, the committee has already received responses in 24 cases, and it will hear those matters during the next meeting.
In addition, the committee will summon department heads in three cases to record oral evidence.
Committee Focuses on Accessible Justice
The Speaker said the Himachal Assembly Petition Committee was reconstituted after 28 years to provide simple, speedy, and free justice to poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged citizens.
He emphasized that any aggrieved person can submit a petition before the committee without paying any fee.
During the meeting, the committee also reviewed 17 previously filed petitions. It ordered fresh inquiries in 13 cases, resolved two cases on the spot, and kept two matters pending until the next meeting.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring transparency, accountability, and timely resolution of public grievances.
Key Highlights of the news:
- Himachal Assembly Petition Committee reviewed 17 petitions during its latest meeting.
- The committee ordered fresh inquiries in 13 cases and resolved two immediately.
- Six education-related petitions will undergo fresh examination.
- Eligible compassionate appointment applicants will get another chance to apply under the new policy.
- The committee has received 118 petitions so far and has disposed of 55 cases.
