Rajasthan Assembly's Amrit Mahotsav Session Revisits 75 Years of Key Legislations

Rajasthan Assembly's Amrit Mahotsav session revisits key legislations enacted over 75 years

Jaipur, July 15

During the session, sitting and former MLAs engaged in an insightful discussion on several landmark and public-interest legislations enacted over the past seven and a half decades. Vasundhara Raje reflected on the Assembly's rich democratic legacy, stating that its traditions have always been strengthened by parliamentary propriety, ideological maturity and an unwavering commitment to public welfare.

She emphasised that new legislators must cultivate the habit of thorough study. Recalling the intellectual leadership of former Chief Ministers Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Mohanlal Sukhadia, she said the quality of legislative debate is elevated when members enter the House well prepared.

Urging legislators to make greater use of the Assembly library and develop a sustained culture of reading, she called upon members to preserve Rajasthan's unique democratic tradition, where ideological differences never came at the cost of mutual respect and personal relationships.

Distinguished speakers shared their experiences and perspectives on several landmark legislations featured during the session. Speaking on the Rajasthan Coaching Centres (Control and Regulation) Act, 2025, former MLA Rajendra Rathore described the legislation as a pioneering and historic initiative aimed at ensuring accountability among coaching institutes, preventing misleading advertisements and mandating essential safety and fire protection standards.

He said the Act would help create a safer, more transparent and student-friendly educational environment. Jaipur Rural MP Rao Rajendra Singh spoke on the historical and social significance of the Rajasthan Tenancy Act, 1955.

Calling it a landmark reform following the abolition of the zamindari and jagirdari systems, he said the legislation empowered cultivators by securing their land rights. He also highlighted the Act's strong safeguards for the lands of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, particularly under Section 42, describing it as a reflection of the Assembly's progressive and welfare-oriented legislative vision.

Speaking on the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2025, former Minister Kalicharan Saraf said the legislation reinforces communal harmony, mutual trust and every citizen's constitutional right to religious freedom. Former Assembly Speaker Deependra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the significance of the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023, noting that Rajasthan became the first state in the country to extend a social security framework to millions of platform-based gig workers associated with services such as Ola, Uber, Zomato and Swiggy.

He observed that the welfare board and dedicated fund established under the Act would provide greater security and stability to gig workers. Recalling the Rajasthan Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, former MLA Tara Bhandari described it as a landmark social reform that strengthened women's rights, safeguarded their dignity and lives, and symbolised the state's commitment to progressive social values.

Former Minister Dr B.D. Kalla discussed the Rajasthan Primary Education Act, 1964, describing it as the foundation of the state's efforts to expand compulsory primary education. He said the inclusion of vocational and self-reliance-oriented activities such as spinning and weaving in schools represented an important step towards practical education and self-sufficiency. Former MLA Nathu Singh Gurjar shared his views on the Rajasthan Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad Act, 1959, MLA Rajendra Pareek spoke on the Rajasthan Cooperative Societies Act, 1965, and former MLA Pradyuman Singh reflected on the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956, highlighting their enduring contributions to Rajasthan's legislative and administrative development.

— IANS