SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) has advocated for extended sittings during the upcoming autumn session of the Legislative Assembly. G.A. Mir, a senior Congress leader, has expressed the party’s desire for more working days to adequately address public concerns.
Assembly Session Schedule and Opposition Concerns
The autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is slated to commence on Monday, September 21, with a provisional schedule of seven sittings, concluding on September 30. This timeframe has drawn criticism from both the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling alliance partner, the Congress. Both parties argue that the proposed duration is insufficient to deliberate on the myriad issues affecting the populace.
Sources indicate that the opposition, including the BJP and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), intends to confront the Omar Abdullah-led government on critical matters such as employment, the alleged failure to fulfill electoral promises, and overall governance.
Congress and NC Alliance Dynamics
Despite the shared demand for longer sittings, the Congress party, an ally of the ruling National Conference (NC), has affirmed its support for the NC-led government. G.A. Mir has previously emphasized that the alliance between the Congress and the NC is founded on ideological similarities and a commitment to safeguarding the interests of Jammu and Kashmir’s people, rather than being based on individual political gains or cabinet berths. The party maintains that its support is crucial in preventing communal forces from gaining a foothold in the region.
Legislative Business and Session Focus
The Assembly session is expected to address significant legislative matters, including the tabling of an inquiry report on alleged irregularities in the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM). Additionally, a bill proposing amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act, 1989, is scheduled for consideration. The legislative business will commence with obituary references to former ministers, followed by Question Hour and subsequent government and private members’ business.
The NC, as the ruling party, held a legislature party meeting to strategize for the session, with National Conference President Farooq Abdullah urging legislators to prioritize public concerns and effectively highlight constituency-specific issues. The Congress party also convened a meeting of its legislators to discuss their approach to the session.
Assembly Sitting Trends and Speaker’s Remarks
In response to criticisms regarding the brevity of the session, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, has previously stated that Jammu and Kashmir has the highest average Assembly sittings per year compared to other states and Union Territories in the country. He noted that the average stands at 28 sittings annually, exceeding the national average of 24. Rather also urged the media to focus less on disruptive MLAs and more on constructive participation to ensure a smooth conduct of the House.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
