Uttarakhand Assembly Session in Gairsain: Rs 7,000 Crore Budget Expected
Uttarakhand's Assembly session begins in Gairsain with a Rs 7,000 crore supplementary budget and 8 bills on the agenda.
The Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly is preparing for its third session of the fifth assembly, which will take place at the summer capital, Gairsain. Scheduled for October 27 and 28, 2026, the Uttarakhand Assembly session Gairsain is set to be a high-stakes gathering focused on significant financial allocations and legislative changes.
Governor Lieutenant General (Retd.) Gurmeet Singh has officially sanctioned the two-day session, which will be hosted at the Bhararisain assembly building. The event will see the arrival of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan, and a host of state ministers and legislators by the evening of October 26.
Budgetary Boost and Legislative Agenda
The primary highlight of the session is the expected presentation of a supplementary budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, estimated to be worth approximately Rs 7,000 crore. This substantial financial injection is intended to address various state requirements and development projects.
Beyond the budget, the legislative agenda is packed. The government plans to introduce eight different bills during the brief two-day window. The session will formally commence at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, October 27.
Day One Schedule
According to the Business Advisory Committee, the first day will not follow the standard procedure. The Question Hour will be suspended to allow the house to pay tribute to former Chief Ministers. The supplementary budget is slated to be tabled following the lunch break on the first day.
Tight Security and Political Tension
Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri Bhushan has implemented stringent security protocols for the venue. In a bid to maintain order, no vehicles will be allowed inside the assembly complex unless they possess a valid entry pass.
While the government claims to be prepared with factual data to counter any opposition queries, the atmosphere remains tense. The opposition has already announced plans for an assembly gherao on October 27, intending to protest against various pressing issues affecting the state.
The Gairsain Capital Debate
The convening of the session has once again sparked the long-standing debate over whether Gairsain should serve as the permanent capital of Uttarakhand. The controversy stems from conflicting expert opinions:
- The Kaushik Committee: Recommended Gairsain as the most suitable location for the capital.
- The Dixit Commission: Previously rejected the proposal, pointing toward geographical and technical constraints.
This disagreement has led to ongoing public criticism, with some questioning whether the venue is being used more for political optics than for genuine administrative functionality.
Preparations Underway
To ensure a seamless event, security personnel and administrative officials arrived at the site on Sunday, October 25. Assembly Secretary Hem Pant has personally conducted on-site reviews to ensure all arrangements are in place for the arrival of the state's top leadership.