SRINAGAR: The Privileges Committee of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (JKLA) on Thursday reviewed cases relating to alleged breach of privilege involving two Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers and a privilege notice against MLA Pulwama Waheed ur Rehman Parra.
The meeting, held at the Assembly Complex, was chaired by Committee Chairman Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi and attended by members Showkat Hussain Ganie, Zaffar Ali Khatana, Er. Khurshied Ahmed and Darshan Kumar. Secretary, JKLA, Manoj Kumar Pandita and officers of the Assembly Secretariat were also present. Waheed ur Rehman Parra attended the meeting.
The committee deliberated on breach of privilege notices filed by MLA Chadoora Ali Mohammad Dar against the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Chadoora, and by MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali against the Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE), who was serving as Additional Chief Development Officer (ACD), Ganderbal, at the time of the alleged incident. Both officers appeared before the committee.
During the meeting, Masoodi stressed the need for government officers to adhere to established legislative conventions and administrative protocols while dealing with elected representatives. He said maintaining the privileges of legislators was essential for strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring effective coordination between the legislature and the executive.
Committee members also emphasised that MLAs should be extended due protocol and courtesy in the discharge of their official responsibilities. They said timely communication, responsiveness to issues raised by legislators and adherence to administrative norms were important for effective governance.
The committee decided to close the case against the then Additional Chief Development Officer, Ganderbal. It also decided that the replies submitted by MLA Waheed ur Rehman Parra and the SDM, Chadoora, in connection with the alleged breach of privilege notices would be considered at its next meeting.
