The building housing the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, which was constructed in 1994 with a capacity of seating 321 members before the creation of Chhattisgarh, is being renovated. The work is likely to be completed by December 1, before the winter session of the Assembly begins.
Assembly’s Principal Secretary, Bhagwandev Israni, told the media on Thursday that “The House was constructed 20 years ago and all its fittings including carpets, walls, seats and sound system were needed to be replaced as they are not in good shape after so many years. The renovation will cost around Rs 5 crore.”
The Assembly building was inaugurated in 1996 by the then President the late Shankar Dayal Sharma. As per the plan, the entire carpet of the main House, seat cushions, sound system, walls, offices, press and visitors’ galleries will be renovated and refurnished with latest high quality Bose microphones and earphones on the lines of the lok Sabha. “Repainting the 105-feet high main dome of the House was the major challenge for which a special mini JCB machine was brought from Mumbai,” Israni said.
The carpet and cushions will retain the green colour while the walls will be painted with earth colours. The lobby too is being given a new look. The press gallery too will be equipped with latest earphones and display screens for the coverage of House proceedings.
As per the new plan, names of each member along with their photos will be displayed on their respective seats, a feature being introduced for the first time. Whenever a minister or MlA stands up in the House to raise any issue, his photo, name and party affiliation would get automatically displayed.
Prior to the bifurcation of Madhya Pradesh, the Assembly had the capacity for 321 members, but after Chhattisgarh came into existence on November 1, 2000, the strength of the House was reduced to 231, including one nominated member.
The Assembly was designed by famous architect Charles Correa on the top of picturesque Arera Hills adjacent to State Mantralaya (Secretariat). Though the design of the House is bicameral, the State has not created a legislative Council. Israni said the winter session of the Assembly will begin from December 8, and the team involved in carrying out renovation work is working on a war-footing to complete it by December 1.