Srinagar: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (JKLA), Abdul Rahim Rather, on Thursday chaired an all-party and Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting ahead of the Autumn Session of the Assembly, scheduled to commence on September 21.
The meeting focused on ensuring the smooth and effective functioning of the House and was attended by Leader of Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mubarik Gul, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Nizamuddin Bhat, Sajad Gani Lone, Mir Mohammad Fayaz and Choudhary Mohammad Akram.
During the meeting, the Speaker sought suggestions from members on making the forthcoming session more productive and responsive to public concerns. He stressed the need to provide adequate opportunities to legislators to raise constituency issues and matters of public importance.
Rather called for cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure orderly conduct of Assembly proceedings and said the legislature carries a significant responsibility towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He urged members to uphold the dignity and decorum of the House and said parliamentary debates should remain focused on public welfare, constructive discussion and effective articulation of people’s concerns.
Members of the BAC put forward several suggestions aimed at improving the functioning of the session. They emphasised the need to provide sufficient opportunities to legislators to raise constituency-specific issues and matters requiring government attention.
Among the suggestions discussed was the conduct of Zero Hour, with members proposing that party leaders and chief whips identify participants in advance to facilitate smoother management of proceedings.
The members also suggested restricting the use of mobile phones inside the Assembly Hall to maintain discipline and attentiveness during proceedings.
Another key proposal related to the timely circulation of Private Members’ Bills, resolutions, questions and answers. Members said advance availability of legislative business would allow them to prepare more effectively and raise informed supplementary questions.
The committee further stressed that all legislators should be given adequate time to present public grievances and constituency concerns in accordance with Assembly rules and approved business.
Taking note of the suggestions, the Speaker underscored the collective responsibility of all members in ensuring a productive and meaningful session.
The meeting concluded with a call for strengthening parliamentary engagement and ensuring that Assembly proceedings remain focused on issues affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Assembly Secretary Manoj Kumar Pandit was also present at the meeting.
