Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed hope the Union Territory status of Jammu and Kashmir is not permanent and the BJP-led central government would stand by its promise to restore statehood.
He said there is a need to understand the differences between rules and limitations of a Union Territory assembly vis-a-vis a state assembly. He urged new legislators to adapt to their roles in the Union Territory assembly till statehood is restored.
“The central government has promised the people of Jammu and Kashmir that statehood will be restored, and we hope they will stand by their word,” Abdullah said during an orientation programme for legislators here.
He stressed the importance of legislators adapting to the unique challenges of working in a Union Territory assembly. He praised Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for organising the orientation programme, emphasising its value for both new and experienced legislators.
“I have been elected six times in various capacities — three times to Parliament and three times to the Assembly. But this is the first time I am attending such an orientation programme,” he said.
Reflecting on his own experience, Abdullah admitted his early years as a parliamentarian lacked a strong foundation.
“If such an orientation programme had been organised when I was first elected to Parliament, I would have been better prepared. Even today, I cannot confidently explain how to introduce a private member’s bill or raise an issue under Rule 377 despite having spent many years there,” he said.
On operating in a Union Territory assembly, Abdullah said, “Even respected senior members, like Abdul Rahim Rather Sahib (Speaker), who has been elected seven times, are facing this for the first time. Earlier, this was a State Assembly. Now, for the first time, we have been elected to the Union Territory Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He emphasised the importance of understanding the new framework.
“The functioning of a Union Territory is different, its rules are different, and understanding them and using them effectively will take some time to learn,” he said, urging legislators to use the orientation programme to bridge this knowledge gap.
The chief minister also expressed hope for maintaining decorum in the Assembly but acknowledged the inevitability of disruptions.
“While I can say we should avoid disruptions and maintain decorum, the reality is that such disruptions will happen. The calmness we are witnessing today is probably the first and last time we experience this,” he remarked.
Abdullah drew inspiration from veteran parliamentarians from the past years such as Jawaharlal Nehru and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, recalling their exemplary conduct in parliamentary proceedings. “They are remembered even today because they never disrupted the House or insulted the Chair,” he said.
Abdullah urged the legislators to adapt to their roles in the Union Territory assembly, commit to serving people and raising their issues, even within the limitations of the new framework.
“Until statehood is restored, we will continue to serve the people and address their concerns in this assembly,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated a three-day Orientation Programme for the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir.
The programme, held in the Central Hall Jammu, is jointly organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the J&K Legislative Assembly from January 9 to 11, 2025.
In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister appreciated the Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly for meticulously planning the programme.
Reflecting on the contributions of eminent parliamentarians like Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Somnath Chatterjee, Indrajit Gupta, Chandra Shekhar and Pranab Mukherjee, he remarked on their incisive analysis, deep understanding, and dignified conduct in Parliament.
He urged the MLAs to emulate these distinguished leaders and contribute meaningfully to the Assembly’s deliberations. Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of the Orientation Programme for familiarizing MLAs with rules of procedure and conduct of business.
Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandit in the beginning of the programme thanked the Speaker for prioritizing capacity building of legislators.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, encouraged the MLAs to work diligently and understand legislative norms to ensure smooth functioning of the House.
He highlighted the significance of such programmes in equipping legislators with knowledge about budget formulation and centrally sponsored schemes that benefit marginalized communities.
In the technical session, P.K. Mallick, Director of PRIDE, presented the objectives of the institute and its role in building the capacity of legislators while strengthening democratic values. Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates, Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, delivered a lecture on the committee system in Indian legislatures, sharing insights and suggestions for forming and managing committees effectively.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also addressed the gathering, further enriching the session with his perspectives.
The three-day programme aims to equip MLAs with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their contributions to legislative processes and governance.
