NEVA Integration Himachal assembly causes opposition protest over delays

Shimla, Feb 18,

The digital backbone of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly came under strain on Tuesday after the integration of its in-house e-Vidhan software with the National e-Vidhan Application (NEVA) disrupted proceedings during the ongoing Budget Session, affecting legislators’ access to questions and video records.https://Himachal%20Pradesh%20Legislative%20Assembly,-came%20under%20strain

The issue surfaced before Question Hour when Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur raised concerns that questions submitted by Opposition members were not being listed for discussion. He also flagged delays in receiving official video recordings of speeches, stating that footage of his intervention during Monday’s debate on the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) reached him only by evening.

Footage delay linked to procedural scrutiny

Responding in the House, Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania clarified that video clips and official records are released only after mandatory scrutiny. Portions that are expunged or deemed unsuitable for public domain are removed first to protect legislative privilege, following which the approved material is uploaded to the NEVA platform and shared with members. NEVA Integration Himachal assembly

However, the Speaker acknowledged broader technical glitches following the Assembly’s transition to NEVA — a centralised digital framework rolled out to standardise legislative functioning across Parliament and state assemblies.

Matter taken up at National level

Pathania informed members that the issue had already been escalated to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and senior parliamentary affairs officials during his recent visit to Delhi. The State Assembly Secretary has also formally communicated members’ grievances to ensure that disruptions do not hamper the remainder of the Budget Session.

Sources indicated that the transition to NEVA has required backend system reconfiguration, which may have temporarily affected synchronisation of questions, speech uploads and archival access.

Also read:Langoor breaks Glass door at Himachal Vidhan Sabha 

Interestingly, the Speaker noted that Himachal Pradesh’s earlier e-Vidhan Sabha module was considered technologically robust and functionally advanced. However, its integration with NEVA was carried out in line with national directives aimed at digital uniformity across legislatures.

With members expressing concern over the smooth conduct of proceedings, the Assembly is now examining whether its original digital system can be revived in parallel with NEVA to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Seeking to calm tempers, the Speaker assured the House that all pending questions would be accommodated in subsequent sittings. He reiterated that technological transition challenges were temporary and steps were being taken to stabilise the platform at the earliest.

The disruption comes at a crucial juncture, as the Budget Session continues to deliberate on key fiscal matters, including central assistance components such as the Revenue Deficit Grant.

For now, the Assembly’s digital shift — intended to modernise and streamline legislative functioning — has instead sparked debate over reliability, preparedness and procedural safeguards during high-stakes sessions.