Jammu, Jan 30: The first budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly under the National Conference (NC)-led government will commence on March 3, 2025. The session will be officially summoned by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, who has called for the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet at the Jammu Legislative Assembly Complex.
In an official order, Lieutenant Governor Sinha stated, “I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, do hereby summon the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to meet at Jammu on Monday, the 3rd day of March, 2025 at 10:00 AM.”
The session will kick off with the Lieutenant Governor’s address to the Assembly at 10:00 AM on the same day, marking the start of the first budget session since the National Conference (NC) assumed leadership of the government.
“I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, under the provisions of Section 21(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, call upon the Members of the Legislative Assembly for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to assemble in the Legislative Assembly Complex at Jammu on Monday, the 3rd day of March, 2025 at 10:00 AM to hear my address,” the order reads.
This will be the first budget session since the abrogation of Article 370, and the government is keen to ensure a smooth and efficient session. The last budget for the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was presented in 2018.
Meanwhile, the calendar for the upcoming session is being finalized, with discussions nearing completion. The final calendar is expected to be issued within the next few days. Speaker AR Rather is leading the discussions, which cover essential session logistics such as holidays, smooth conduct of house proceedings, question hour, zero hour, and measures to handle potential disruptions.
According to a notice from the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, each MLA is permitted to submit a maximum of 10 starred and 10 un-starred questions by February 10, along with a maximum of 3 bills. Additionally, each MLA can submit up to 4 resolutions by February 16.
In preparation for the session, all 51 first-time MLAs have been trained on how to participate in the proceedings, including how to raise questions during the question hour and the expected conduct during the session. The training aims to ensure that the session runs smoothly and that new members are fully equipped to engage in the legislative process.
The government has also directed all 90 J&K MLAs to submit the annual development plan for their constituencies before the budget session begins.
Notably, in the state cabinet meeting held on January 20, 2025 under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, a proposal was passed to convene the budget session on March 3, 2025 following which, the proposal was sent to the Lieutenant Governor for final approval, which as per officials, has been given the nod.
