DAYA SAGAR
The first session of the Legislative Assembly of UT of J&K commenced on 4th November. Before that the Omar Abdullah Cabinet had passed a resolution that the Status of a State should be granted to UT of J&K. Omar Abdullah the Chief Minister had also visited the Union Capital and met the Prime Minister also in that regard.
No regular business has been conducted in the Assembly during the this short session except that a resolution as moved by the Dy Chief Minister Surinder Chowdhary has been adopted by the legislative assembly on 6th November with a majority vote < ” “This Assembly reaffirms the importance of the special status and Constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and expresses concern over the unilateral removal.” “This Assembly calls upon the Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives of people of J&K for restoration of special status, Constitutional guarantees and to work out the Constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions.” “This Assembly emphasises that any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of J&K,”> and the opposition has been protesting against the resolution both inside & outside the house ‘suggesting’ that the resolution in a way demands for ‘restoration of Art 35A and also ‘restoration’ of Art – 370 although the text of resolution did not refer to the said articles and BJP leader & leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma termed the presentation & adoption of the said resolution as an item outside the business of the house i.e discussion on LG’s address.
The session was lost more in protests & allegations instead having regular participation / discussions on the LGs address although on the last day some general reference to issues concerning the economy / projects in UT , health , education, employment , / service conditions of government employees and like were raised / referred by some members. But no pointed references were made and referred related to immediate common man issues and the promises made in the election manifesto of National Conference. People were expecting that the LG’s address would make some specific and time bound mentions related to the promises made in the Election Manifesto of National Conference but there was not much of immediate relief to the common man.
The Motion of Thanks on LG’s address was moved by MLA, Baramulla, Javid Hassan Baig and was adopted through voice on the final day ( 8th November) of session saying < “That the Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, assembled in this Session, are deeply grateful to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir for the Address which he has been pleased to deliver to Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on November 4th, 2024. No doubt addressing the House, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said that it has been the success of the House that the Lieutenant Governor mentioned the “restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees” to Jammu and Kashmir in his address on November 4 but there were many more things that people were and are still expecting .from the NC lead Government in terms of the promises made in the election manifesto which were/ are of immediate relief / benefit of the common man and some could be ordered even within the direct reach of the UT Cabinet but the LG address which reflects the policy of the government with council of ministers there to aid & advise the LG had no pointed reference on promises of immediate common interest .No doubt the LG’s address did have reference of 200 Units of free electric power and free drinking water but the references did not fit well w.r.t to the NC’s election manifesto. The Legislative Assembly’s brief five-day session was over on 8th November and the House was adjourned sine die by Abdul Rahim Rather, the Speaker. Before specifically quote here some election manifesto promises it will not be wrong to say here that although LG has over riding authority/ role in some matters particularly the public order& the police ,LG is expected to be always there with the Cabinet / Legislature like he has been as regards the demand for restoration of statehood to J&K (that had reference in election NC’s manifesto also) which also finds a very considerate reference in the LG’s address for which Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather while addressing the house had said<” it is success of the House that the Lieutenant Governor mentioned the “restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees” to Jammu and Kashmir in his address on November 4″>.
Omar Abdullah should hold to his pledge in Election manifesto and take on first priority the promises made in very clear & specific manner like 200 Units free power every month to all & free drinking water to all since the references if atall are made in the LG’s address are not that delivering and direct. For example the election manifesto promises to provide 200 units of electricity free ( page-13) and also says will provide free drinking water to each household where these items do have reference in the LG’s address but there it is conditional & not specific , as regards 200 units power the LG’s address says < “My Government is committed to provide 200 units of free electricity to deserving households for which modalities are being worked out”> and as regards free drinking water the LG’s address says < para 16. “My Government is committed to providing Free, Clean and Safe Drinking Water to All”.> Even here the unanswered questions are why 200 power units / month not to all but only to deserving households and why no time frame for ordering supply of costless power & drinking water ?
The opposition parties should also have participated in the debate and made references to the commitments made in the NC manifesto but that too did not happen.
To be continued
(The writer is a Sr Journalist & a known analyst of J&K affairs).