Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 24: Today, Abdul Rahim Rather, the Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, held a meeting to assess the security and other arrangements for the upcoming Budget Session of the JKUT Legislature, scheduled to take place in Jammu starting March 3.
The meeting saw the participation of officials from various departments, including M. Raju, Commission Secretary, GAD; Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; B S Tuti, IGP Jammu; Achal Sethi, Secretary, Law; Sachin Vaishya, DC Jammu; Dr. Devansh Yadav, Commissioner, JMC; Nitish Rajora, Director, Information; as well as the SSP Traffic, CMO Jammu, SSP Security Secretariat, alongside Secretary, JKLA Manoj Kumar Pandit, and other senior officials from relevant departments.
The Speaker emphasized the need for all necessary arrangements to be established for the effective and smooth execution of the forthcoming budget session.
Detailed discussions took place concerning security measures, traffic management, fire services, uninterrupted power supply, provision of adequate water supply to the Legislative Complex, health facilities, and media arrangements, among other topics.
Concerning security protocols, the Speaker instructed officers to ensure that a sufficient number of staff familiar with Parliamentary practices are deployed within the J&K Legislative Assembly premises in Jammu. He stressed the importance of ensuring comprehensive security for the Legislators in both the MLAs Hostel in Jammu and the surrounding areas.
To facilitate smooth traffic flow on roads leading to the J&K Legislative Assembly Complex/Civil Secretariat Jammu and MLA’s Hostel Jammu, the Speaker requested the implementation of necessary measures to prevent public inconvenience.
He also directed that adequate fire-fighting resources be available in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and that existing fire extinguishers and hydrants in the JKLA and MLA hostel be thoroughly inspected.
The Estates Department was tasked with completing any outstanding work within the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, particularly in the Central Hall, House, and VIP Chambers. The Speaker also called for installing intercom telephone facilities within the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in Jammu and reviewing the telephones already present in the VIP Chambers.
Concerning the allocation of space for the National E-Vidhan implementation in the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker instructed the Director of the Estates Department to vacate rooms currently occupied by other departments in the Assembly Secretariat.
The PDD authorities were asked to guarantee an uninterrupted power supply throughout the session. Additionally, the JMC was directed to maintain cleanliness in and around the legislative complex’s premises and lawns. The JKTDC was instructed to provide canteen services for the convenience of both legislators and legislative staff, while the medical department was told to ensure medical facilities are available during the entire session.
Lastly, the Speaker requested that the Information Department ensure comprehensive coverage of House proceedings, along with providing sufficient microphones and related equipment during the session. He also directed BSNL to install and restore telephones in the Chief Minister’s and Deputy Chief Minister’s chambers.
