Who was the Speaker of the Interim Legislative Assembly after the formation of Uttarakhand?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

UKPSC Lower PCS Preliminary Exam Official Paper (Held On: 11 May, 2025)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Prakash Pant.

Key Points

Prakash Pant served as the Speaker of the Interim Legislative Assembly after the formation of Uttarakhand in 2000.
He was a prominent leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and played a crucial role in the early political structure of the newly formed state.
The Interim Legislative Assembly was established to manage the transition and governance of Uttarakhand, which was carved out of Uttar Pradesh on 9 November 2000.
Prakash Pant was elected unopposed as the first Speaker of the Interim Legislative Assembly of Uttarakhand.
He contributed significantly to the development of legislative processes and policies in the formative years of the state.

Additional Information

Formation of Uttarakhand:
- Uttarakhand was officially formed on 9 November 2000 as the 27th state of India after years of demand for a separate hill state.
- The state was carved out of the hill regions of Uttar Pradesh and consists of two divisions: Garhwal and Kumaon.
- The capital of Uttarakhand is Dehradun, which serves as both the administrative and legislative hub.
Interim Legislative Assembly:
- It was a temporary legislative body established to manage the governance of the newly formed state until a permanent assembly was elected.
- The Interim Assembly consisted of members who were previously part of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly, representing the areas that became Uttarakhand.
Role of Speaker:
- The Speaker of a Legislative Assembly is responsible for maintaining order during debates, ensuring legislative processes are followed, and representing the Assembly to external bodies.
- As the first Speaker, Prakash Pant laid the foundation for parliamentary practices in Uttarakhand.
Prakash Pant’s Legacy:
- Besides being the Speaker, Prakash Pant held various ministerial positions and contributed to the development of Uttarakhand.
- He was known for his dedication to public service and his role in shaping the political landscape of the state.