Srinagar- In preparation for the upcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly scheduled for March 3, 2025, the administration has issued directives to all departments to appoint nodal officers and establish question cells at the departmental level.
According to an official order, the heads of departments have been instructed to nominate nodal officers and set- up question cells to provide timely and accurate responses during the session. The order also mandates that all government employees remain stationed at their respective offices throughout the session to ensure smooth proceedings.
“No officer or official shall leave their station without prior approval during the session to ensure the smooth conduct of proceedings,” reads the order. It further stated that administrative secretaries and heads of departments must ensure compliance with these directives.
Reports indicate that 82 out of 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have submitted nearly 800 questions and 80 private members’ bills. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly had instructed each MLA to submit 20 questions—10 in the starred and 10 in the unstarred categories—along with three private member’s bills.
However, certain restrictions have been imposed on asking questions during the session. Written questions related to All India Services, including IAS, police, law and order, and security matters, will not be permitted unless the Speaker allows them under special circumstances. Additionally, debates on issues concerning All India Services will also be excluded.
The last budget session of the J&K Legislative Assembly was held in January-February 2018. The session holds particular significance as it is going to be the first budget session since the collapse of the Mehbooba Mufti-led government in June 2018, following the BJP’s withdrawal from its alliance with the PDP. Subsequently, President’s and Governor’s rule were imposed, leading to the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories—J&K and Ladakh—in August 2019.
CM Concludes Pre-budget Consultations
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday held separate meetings with elected representatives from Kishtwar and Doda districts here as he concluded his pre-budget consultations.
Abdullah said the series of consultations with public representatives from all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir had provided valuable insights into the ground-level issues faced by the people.
Chairing the session for Kishtwar, the chief minister engaged with public representatives, including Leader of Opposition (LoP) Sunil Sharma, who represents the Padder-Nagseni constituency in the assembly, the chairperson of the District Development Council (DDC), Kishtwar and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the district, an official said.
He said the representatives presented their demands and issues with the chief minister assuring them that their suggestions and inputs would be duly considered in the budget formulation.
Abdullah said the consultations had concluded.
“These interactions help us understand the priorities of the people. Since you are directly connected with the public, your inputs and suggestions are crucial for policy-making,” Abdullah told the elected representatives.
Similarly, representatives from the Doda district also discussed their development priorities and concerns with the chief minister.
Some of the key issues in the twin districts were staff shortage in educational institutions and healthcare centres, drinking water supply, road connectivity, construction of tunnels and improving mobile connectivity in remote areas.
The deputy commissioners of Kishtwar and Doda, in their presentation, provided a constituency-wise breakdown of demands prioritised by the MLAs.
The DDC chairpersons and MLAs highlighted that it was the first time such consultations had taken place, the official said. (with KNO inputs)
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