Srinagar, Dec 24: The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, on Tuesday, constituted a Rules Committee tasked with drafting and finalising the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business for the Assembly.
The eight-member committee, which includes representatives from both the ruling alliance and the opposition, comprises Mubarik Gul, Saifullah Mir, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Nizamuddin Bhat, Hasnain Masoodi and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan from the ruling alliance, while Ranbir Singh Pathania and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan represent the opposition.
The Speaker will act as the ex-officio chairman of the committee, which will be responsible for formulating detailed rules to govern the Assembly’s legislative proceedings, including procedures for debates, voting, questions, and committees to ensure accountability and transparency in the legislative process.
Under Rule 363 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, the Speaker has the authority to form this committee without direct approval from the Lieutenant Governor (LG). However, in accordance with the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, any new legislative rules or procedures must comply with the legal framework of the Union Territory and may require the LG’s assent for implementation.
Unlike the erstwhile state, which had greater legislative autonomy, the new framework must align with the rules governing other Union Territories with legislatures, such as Delhi and Puducherry. The committee will also ensure that the rules reflect the democratic aspirations of the people while remaining consistent with the constitutional framework.
The committee is expected to finalize its draft rules before the upcoming Budget session. Once completed, the draft will likely be presented for approval in the Assembly, following which it may be reviewed by the Lieutenant Governor to ensure compliance with the Union Territory’s legal framework.
