Butail new HP Vidhan Sabha Speaker

As the Vidhan Sabha began its proceedings on the second day at Tapovan near here, three resolutions proposing the name of Butail were moved and were carried by voice vote.

Pro-tem Speaker Mansa Ram declared him elected as Vidhan Sabha Speaker.

After his unanimous election, Butail was escorted to the chair of the Speaker by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who is also the Leader of the House, and Prem Kumar Dhumal, Leader of the Opposition.

The movers of the three sets of resolutions were Virbhadra Singh and Sujan Singh Pathania, Dhumal and Satpal Singh Satti, and Vidya Stokes and Sudhir Sharma.

Welcoming Butail's election as new Speaker of the House, the Chief Minister said he was a prominent figure with a vast experience and a renowned Kangra Tea planter in Palampur.

Dhumal said he hoped he would give protection to each member of ruling and opposition benches.

Health Minister Kaul Singh Thakur thanked AICC president Sonia Gandhi for selection of Butail for the post of Speaker.

Lone Himachal Lokhit Party member Maheshwar Singh hoped the Speaker would give ample opportunities to all members to speak.

Thanking the members, Butail said today was the golden day for the entire Kangra Valley as he was elected unopposed.

He said he was a representative of entire House and his election for the top post had added to his stature.

Hoping he would get cooperation of all members, Butail assured them he would maintain dignity of the House.