SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stated that the government will ensure that Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) receive satisfactory responses during the upcoming Assembly session. The assurance comes amidst a political debate over the duration of the session, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) advocating for a longer period to address public issues.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the forthcoming Autumn Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is scheduled to take place in Srinagar from September 21 to September 30. This ten-day period, however, includes three non-sitting days—September 23 for Maharaja Hari Singh’s birthday, September 26 as an off day, and September 27 for a Sunday—effectively making it a seven-day session. Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma of the BJP has criticized this duration, calling it a “cruel joke” and demanding a session of nearly 30 days to adequately address public grievances.
Responding to the criticism, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah defended the government’s decision, questioning the BJP’s own record regarding parliamentary session lengths. He pointed out that states ruled by the BJP often hold sessions of one or two days. Abdullah asserted that his government is committed to legislative business, with members present in the Assembly from morning till evening. He dismissed concerns about the stability of his government, expressing full faith in his MLAs and stating he had no fear of them switching sides.
The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, has been actively reviewing and finalizing arrangements for the smooth conduct of the Autumn Session. He chaired a meeting with senior officers from various departments, including the General Administration Department, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Information Technology, security, traffic, health, and hospitality. Speaker Rather stressed the importance of close coordination, advance planning, and administrative preparedness, noting that even minor issues could lead to significant problems if not addressed promptly. He specifically directed authorities to ensure comprehensive and foolproof security arrangements at the Assembly Secretariat and MLA Hostel, along with effective coordination among all security and administrative agencies.
In legislative matters, the Speaker directed the General Administration Department to ensure timely replies to assembly questions and to designate nodal officers for effective coordination with the Assembly Secretariat. Government bills are also to be submitted well in advance. The implementation of the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) on a hybrid model was discussed, with the IT Department tasked with ensuring reliable Wi-Fi and internet connectivity. Efforts are also underway to ensure uninterrupted water and power supply and maintain sanitation around the Assembly complex.
The Chief Minister further elaborated that the seven-day session would include both government legislative business and issues raised by MLAs from both the ruling and opposition benches. He indicated that while the legislative business for a Union Territory is less than that of a state, there are still bills and resolutions to be presented. He reiterated that MLAs would have the opportunity to raise questions concerning their areas and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and the government would strive to provide satisfactory responses.
The BJP has maintained its stance, with Sunil Sharma announcing outreach efforts across districts to hear grievances directly from the public. The party has accused the ruling government of undermining legislative accountability and has called for a longer session to facilitate the raising of public issues and concerns.
The Chenab Times News Desk