The picturesque and politically active state of Himachal Pradesh received a post-independence gift of a much-deserved legislature or legislative assembly. Devoid of a pre-constitution history, the erstwhile summer capital of the British earned the elite status of a full-fledged state on 25th January 1971.
Himachal Pradesh became a centrally administered territory on April 15th 1948 after the integration of 30 erstwhile princely states. The state’s administration was under the jurisdiction of a Chief Commissioner who was assisted by an Advisory Committee of nine highly adept members.
The legislative assembly’s pride lies in the remarkable architectural edifice of the majestic Council Chamber. The erstwhile Viceroy of India inaugurated the legislature building, on August 27, 1925. The immediate political exigency caused when the British established their summer capital at Shimla gave vent to the construction of this splendid building. The building’s claim to fame rested in the fact that it was the last building of significance to be constructed by the British. The building also temporarily housed offices of the Punjab Government for a short time following the country’s tragic partition.
The Council Chamber has witnessed the imperial grandeur of the Viceroys and the poise of Vithalbhai Patel, the first elected President (or Speaker) of the Central Legislative Assembly; his election being the foremost historically significant event in the state’s legislative history.
The new secretariat was formed in the year 1974 and in order to meet the accelerating accommodation requirements, the foundation stone of the new building was laid in the year 1979. Having incurred expenditure over rupees one lakh, the building when completed in 1983 housed the Library, Research and Reference services as well as three lounges (for the Ruling and Opposition parties) and three Committee rooms. The Assembly’s Secretary also sits in this building.
The legislative assembly of Himachal Pradesh contains traces of the state’s glorious past and political eminence.
