Short session expected to focus on legislative agenda; MLAs to get separate days for private business
Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu,(DD)The Jammu and Kashmir Government is likely to convene a brief Legislative Assembly session in mid-September, with 7 to 8 sittings planned in Srinagar. As per rules, the Assembly must meet at least once in six months. Since the Budget session concluded on April 9, the next session must be held before October 9.
Sources indicated that a formal proposal to hold the session is being finalized and will be sent to the Lieutenant Governor, who will issue the notification. The Government is also scheduled to move to Jammu in early November for the winter months.
The upcoming session is expected to be focused strictly on legislative business. Unlike the Budget session, which saw the passage of only one bill related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), this session may witness the introduction of multiple bills. A day each will be allotted for private members’ bills and private members’ resolutions, offering legislators a chance to raise independent issues or proposals.
During the previous session, three days reserved for private business were disrupted due to protests by opposition members, especially over the Waqf Bill passed by Parliament.
In a change from earlier sessions, legislators will now be allowed to submit five starred and five un-starred questions each. Starred questions are taken up during Question Hour with oral replies, while un-starred ones are responded to in writing.
The final count of private members’ bills and resolutions to be accepted will be decided by the Speaker once the session’s duration is formally approved.
Jammu and Kashmir traditionally holds two Assembly sessions each year—one in winter (Budget session) in Jammu and a shorter one in summer in Srinagar. This pattern has continued for years, primarily due to the Government’s bi-annual relocation between the twin capitals.
Although the physical Durbar Move was discontinued in 2021 to cut costs, the current Omar Abdullah-led Government has announced that it intends to restore the practice, underscoring its historical and symbolic importance.
With a lean schedule and focused agenda, the September session is unlikely to accommodate extended debates. However, it will offer space for essential legislative business and limited discussions. Political observers expect the brief session to reflect the Government’s intent to maintain democratic continuity while keeping disruptions to a minimum(DD)
