JAMMU, Jan 9: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today launched a three-day Orientation Programme for the elected representatives of the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir.
The event, taking place in the Central Hall Jammu, is jointly organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the J&K Legislative Assembly from January 9 to 11, 2025. In his opening remarks, the Chief Minister praised the Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly for thoughtfully organizing the programme.
Reflecting on the valuable contributions of notable parliamentarians such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Somnath Chatterjee, Indrajit Gupta, Chandra Shekhar, and Pranab Mukherjee, he highlighted their sharp insights, profound understanding, and dignified behavior in Parliament.
He urged the MLAs to follow the examples set by these esteemed leaders and make meaningful contributions to the Assembly’s discussions. Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, in his introductory address, stressed the significance of the Orientation Programme in helping MLAs become acquainted with the rules of procedure and business conduct.
Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandit, at the beginning of the programme, expressed gratitude to the Speaker for prioritizing the capacity building of legislators.
Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh, encouraged the MLAs to work with diligence and grasp legislative norms to ensure the smooth operations of the House.
He underlined the importance of such programmes for equipping legislators with knowledge about budget formulation and centrally sponsored schemes that aid marginalized communities.
During the technical session, P.K. Mallick, Director of PRIDE, outlined the institute’s objectives and its role in enhancing legislators’ capacity while reinforcing democratic values. Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates, Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, delivered a talk on the committee system in Indian legislatures, offering insights and recommendations for effectively forming and managing committees.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also addressed the assembly, further enriching the session with his views.
The three-day programme is designed to provide MLAs with the essential skills and knowledge to enhance their roles in legislative processes and governance.
