The upcoming autumn session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, scheduled to commence in Srinagar on September 21, is likely to witness consideration of several Private Members’ Bills that remained pending during the Budget Session held in Jammu earlier this year.
According to sources, the pending bills that could not be taken up during the Budget Session are expected to be listed for consideration during the autumn sitting, along with fresh Private Members’ Bills submitted by legislators within the prescribed deadline.
The Budget Session had two days earmarked for Private Members’ business, but several proposed legislations could not be discussed due to shortage of time. Among the bills that remained pending were proposals seeking measures including prohibition in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources said the issue of whether the pending bills should be given priority over newly submitted Private Members’ Bills will be decided by Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.
Over 300 Questions Received
Meanwhile, the Assembly Secretariat has so far received more than 300 questions from legislators for the forthcoming session. The deadline for submitting questions and Private Members’ Bills has been fixed for August 25.
Each eligible MLA can submit eight questions—four starred and four unstarred—as well as one Private Members’ Bill. The deadline for submitting two Private Members’ Resolutions per MLA has been fixed for September 5.
Of the 90-member House, 83 MLAs are eligible to submit questions, with the Chief Minister, five Ministers and the Speaker excluded from the quota. If all eligible legislators submit the maximum permissible number, the Secretariat could receive as many as 664 questions.
Seven to Eight Sittings Likely
The detailed calendar of business for the autumn session is yet to be finalized. Sources said the House is likely to have seven to eight sittings, with the session expected to continue for around 10 days.
The Assembly Secretariat is awaiting details of the Government’s legislative and other business before finalising and issuing the calendar.
Government Legislation Also Expected
The Government is also likely to introduce important legislation during the session, with proposals related to Ease of Doing Business, the drug menace and other key issues understood to be under consideration.
The proposed Government bills will have to complete the prescribed process, including departmental drafting, Cabinet approval and assent of the Lieutenant Governor, before being introduced in the Legislative Assembly.
The Ease of Doing Business Ordinance, which was placed before the Cabinet during its August 4 meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, was deferred after some Ministers sought a detailed presentation from the concerned department.
With both pending Private Members’ Bills and fresh Government legislation expected to come before the House, the autumn session is likely to have a significant legislative agenda.