Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar chaired a comprehensive meeting with top district administration officials to evaluate the arrangements for the upcoming winter assembly session scheduled for December 7. The session was attended by the Chief Secretary, additional chief secretaries from various departments, and other senior officials.
Divisional Commissioner Vijayalaxmi Bidari, a participant in the meeting along with senior city officials, including Collector Dr. Vipin Itankar, informed that the legislature secretariat would commence operations in the city from November 26, while its work in Mumbai would conclude on November 24. “In the meeting, we were tasked with finalizing accommodations for hundreds of government officials arriving from Mumbai. Quarters and bungalows for ministers and senior bureaucrats have been allocated as per protocol. Office spaces near the Vidhan Bhavan premises have also been arranged for the day-to-day functioning of government officials during the session,” said Bidari.
To meet transportation needs during the session, the administration plans to requisition government-owned vehicles from other divisions such as Amravati, Nashik, and Aurangabad. Bidari added, “We will also consider hiring private vehicles through a tender process if necessary.”
The Commissioner mentioned that the government’s IT team is already in the city, and other teams responsible for operational maintenance will arrive soon. She stated, “Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe will conduct a review meeting, likely next week, to assess the progress of preparations.” Officials from the district administration involved in the session preparations revealed they have been directed to set up two offices for NCP factions led by founder Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit within Vidhan Bhavan. In the previous December session, the administration had arranged offices for Shiv Sena factions led by Uddhav Thackeray and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde following their split, leading to the downfall of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.