LS Bill on changing Uttaranchal to Uttarakhand

New Delhi, Dec 5: The Lok Sabha today passed the Uttaranchal (Alternation of Name) Bill, 2006, seeking to change the name of the hill state to 'Uttrakhand,' amid a walkout by the members of Samajwadi Party who wanted that the holy city of Haridwar be restored to Uttar Pradesh.

Replying to the debate on the subject in the House, Minister of State for Home Affairs Sriprakash Jaiswal said the general public of the State is of the view that there be a change in the name from 'Uttaranchal' to 'Uttarakhand,' in view of the history and mythology of the place. He said members, by and large, while participating in the debate have expressed this sentiment.

Members from the Samajwadi Party wanted that the religious city of Haridwar, which is now a part of Uttaranchal, be restored to Uttar Pradesh.

The Minister said this was not connected with the Bill, but the party members staged a walk out in protest.

Mr Jaiswal said the Legislative Assembly of Uttaranchal adopted a Resolution on October 5, 2005, that the name of the State be changed. The Assembly requested the Central government to take necessary steps for altering the name of the State to 'Uttarakhand'.

As required by the provisio to Article 3 of the Constitution, the President referred the Bill to the Legislature of the State of Uttaranchal for expressing its views on the subject and the legislature has agreed to the provision of the Bill.

Mr Jaiswal said the Bill entails amending the Constitution and also providing for consequential provisions.

The House then passed the Bill.

UNI