A special session of Tripura Legislative Assembly held on Monday to mark its 50th anniversary. It was this date in 1963 the territorial council was constituted which culminated into assembly after Tripura attained statehood in 1972.
Chief Minister Manik Sarkar, PWD Minister Badal Choudhury, acting leader of opposition Ratan Lal Nath and former assembly speaker Jitendra Sarkar and others spoke at the four hour long session. They by and large discussed transition from monarchy to democracy in this remote state.
“Despite all hurdles people of the state contributed much to establish rule of democracy in Tripura. I salute them”, Chief Minister said. He added that some serious works needed to be done to strengthen democratic institutions like Assembly and Lok Sabha.
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Speaker Ramendra Nath earlier informed programmes to commemorate the golden jubilee celebration of state assembly. He said a meeting attended by representatives of ruling and opposition parties resolved to hold a series of programmes including seminars and photo exhibition.
Chief Minister inaugurated the photo exhibition at the assembly lobby.
It showcases photos of all assembly speakers and chief ministers, and group photos of assembly members in past five decades.
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Present assembly building and two past assembly venues including Ujjayanta Palace have been illuminated. A 15 member committee headed by Deputy Speaker Pabitra Kar has been formed to oversee the programmes one of which to be attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar.
The territorial council was constituted with 30 members and late Sachindra Lal Singha took over as first Chief Minister of five member odd council of ministers. The 60 member assembly was formed in 1972 after Tripura accorded statehood; Dharmarai Debbarma, a veteran tribal, is only living member of the territorial council. The octogenarian resides at his home in a remote village of Kamalpur subdivision in Dhalai district.