JAMMU, FEB 24: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, today chaired a meeting to review security and other logistical arrangements for the upcoming Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory Legislature, scheduled to begin on March 3, 2025, in Jammu. The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the premature publicity of notices, which have recently been circulated by some members.
In attendance were senior officers from various departments, including the Commission Secre-tary of the General Administration Department (GAD), M. Raju; Divisional Commissioner Jam-mu, Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu, B.S. Tuti; Secretary, Law, Achal Sethi; Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sachin Vaishya; Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Dr. Devansh Yadav; Director, Information, Nitish Rajora; SSP Traffic; CMO Jammu; SSP Security Secretari-at; and other concerned department heads.
The Speaker issued detailed directives to concerned departments to ensure smooth operations throughout the session. Key topics discussed included security measures, traffic management, fire safety, uninterrupted power and water supply, and health facilities within the Legislative As-sembly complex.
Regarding security arrangements, the Speaker emphasised the importance of deploying trained personnel who are well-versed in parliamentary traditions. He instructed that adequate security be provided for the safety of legislators, both within the MLAs Hostel and at the Legislative As-sembly complex. Additionally, the Speaker directed that traffic regulations be enforced to ensure that roads leading to the Legislative Assembly and Civil Secretariat remain clear, minimizing in-convenience to the public during the session.
In terms of infrastructure, the Speaker called on the Estates Department to expedite completion of any pending work within the Assembly complex, particularly in the Central Hall and VIP Chambers. He also requested the installation of intercom telephone facilities and an inspection of the existing telephones in the VIP Chambers. For the National E-Vidhan project, the Speaker in-structed the Director Estates Department to vacate additional rooms from other departments to make space for the project.
To ensure uninterrupted services during the session, the Speaker asked PDD authorities to guar-antee a continuous power supply, while the JMC was tasked with ensuring cleanliness in and around the Legislative Assembly complex. The JKTDC was also instructed to ensure canteen fa-cilities for the legislators and staff, and medical authorities were directed to provide healthcare services during the session.
The Information Department was asked to ensure that all proceedings of the House are properly covered by the media, and that Public Address Systems (PAS) and microphones are available and functional. The Speaker also instructed BSNL authorities to restore and install necessary tel-ephones in the offices of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
In addition to the logistical review, the Speaker also addressed the recent premature publicity of notices by some members, emphasizing that such actions violate the established rules and proce-dures of the House. Under Rule 368 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, no notice shall be given publicity until it has been admitted by the Speaker and circulated to members. Similarly, notices for questions should not be publicised until the day they are answered in the House.
The Speaker also referred to Rule 334-A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha, which similarly prohibits premature publicity of notices. He cited parliamentary experts, including M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdher, who have noted that it is improper to give such publicity, as it goes against the established parliamentary practice and could lead to the Speaker expressing displeasure toward those responsible.
Responding to remarks made by PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, the Speaker stated that her state-ment did not align with the rules and procedures of the Assembly. He emphasised that such ac-tions are not in the best interest of maintaining the orderly conduct of parliamentary proceedings.
The Speaker assured that all necessary arrangements would be made well before the Budget Ses-sion begins on March 3, 2025, and will continue until March 25, 2025, with a break due to holi-days. The session will reconvene from April 7 to April 11. Prior to the commencement of the Budget Session, an all-party meeting will be held to discuss important matters.
Speaker Rather stressed the need for a smooth and orderly session and reiterated that any viola-tions of established procedures would be addressed promptly.
