All-party meet convened on Feb 27 for smooth budget session: Speaker
Reviews security, other measures
Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday said he has convened an all-party meeting on February 27 to ensure a smooth budget session starting on March 3.
He also countered PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti who had accused him of imposing “martial law” by warning the legislators against unwarranted publicity to the notices for questions, bills, resolutions and other similar matters connected with the business of the House.
“All necessary arrangements are in place for the upcoming budget session. I have had a meeting with the officers of various departments overseeing security and other arrangements this morning,” Rather told reporters here.
The speaker said he had convened a meeting of the members on February 27 ahead of the start of the budget session to discuss important issues for smooth running of the House.
“People have high hopes with their legislators. They should give preference to the issues of the public and also perform their duty responsibly,” he said.
On Mehbooba Mufti’s criticism, Rather said he had made a simple statement based on the rules which makes it clear that all notices with regard to questions, resolution, adjournment motions or bills should not be given publicity unless approved by the speaker and tabled in the House.
“I respectfully say that she has not been properly advised on the issue. She should examine the rules on her own and she will herself get all the answers,” he said.
The PDP chief on Sunday accused Rather of imposing a form of “martial law” while occupying a constitutional position.
“We also want publicity of questions, resolutions, and bills but only after these are tabled in the House and not before that because it is not provided or permitted by the rules. I conveyed my displeasure on the subject in a proper way otherwise I would have proceeded against the members, knowing that they have been elected for the first time,” the speaker said.
Referring to rule 368 of the procedure and conduct of business in J&K Assembly and 334A of the procedure and conduct of business in Lok Sabha, he said the guidelines are clear and the members should study these rules to avoid such mistakes in future.
“If any member insists, then I have no option but to take action against that person as per the rules. Similarly, if anyone instigates any member (to violate the rules), action will be taken against that person as well,” the speaker warned.
Rather said a three-day orientation program was held here last month to make the newly elected members understand the rules and procedures of the House to ensure their active participation.
The speaker reviewed security and other related arrangements for the ensuing Budget Session of current JKUT Legislature.
Present in the meeting were the officers from different departments including Commission Secretary, GAD, M. Raju; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu, B S Tuti; Secretary, Law, Achal Sethi; DC Jammu, Sachin Vaishya; Commissioner, JMC, Dr Devansh Yadav; Director, Information, Nitish Rajora; SSP Traffic; CMO Jammu; SSP Security Secretariat besides Secretary, JKLA Manoj Kumar Pandit and other senior officers of concerned departments.
The Speaker issued specific directions to the concerned departments for ensuring that all requisite arrangements are put in place for smooth and seamless conduct of the upcoming budget session.
Threadbare discussion was held on security arrangements, traffic regulation, fire services, uninterrupted power supply, provision of sufficient and regular supply of water to the Legislative Complex, health facilities and media arrangements among other things.
Regarding the security arrangements, the Speaker directed the concerned officers for deployment of adequate staff well versed with Parliamentary traditions within the premises of J&K Legislative Assembly at Jammu. He asked them for ensuring adequate security arrangement for safety and security of the Legislators within the MLAs Hostel, Jammu as well as outside.
To ensure proper regulation of traffic on roads leading to J&K Legislative Assembly Complex/Civil Secretariat Jammu and MLA’s Hostel Jammu, the Speaker called for putting in place necessary measures for avoiding inconvenience to general public on this account.
The Speaker also directed for provision of deploying adequate fire fighting tenders in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Jammu while also checking the fire extinguishers and fire hydrants already installed in JKLA and MLA hostel Jammu.
He directed the Estates Department to ensure completion of any pending work within the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Jammu particularly in the Central Hall, House and VIP Chambers. He also directed to install intercom telephone facilities within the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly at Jammu, besides checking of telephones already installed within the VIP Chambers.
Regarding availability of space for implementation of National E-Vidhan in the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker asked the Director Estates Department to get the rooms vacated from other departments in the Assembly Secretariat.
The Speaker directed the PDD authorities to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the course of the session. He also asked the JMC to ensure cleanliness in and around the entire premises and lawn of the legislature complex. He directed the JKTDC to ensure canteen facility in the premises for the convenience of the legislators and staff of Legislature. He directed the Medical authority to provide medical facilities during the entire session.
The Speaker also asked the Information department to ensure proper and due coverage of the proceedings of the House besides making available adequate PAS, mikes and other related things during the session. He directed the BSNL authority to install and restore the telephones in the chamber of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
The senior officers present in the meeting assured the Speaker that all the necessary arrangements will be put in place well before commencement of the current Budget session of JKLA. (with inputs from PTI)
