The Speaker plans to establish several Committees during the session
*The number of queries reaches approximately 1300
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 1: The Legislative Assembly has received nearly 1300 questions from 81 MLAs, reflecting a high level of enthusiasm among legislators as this is the first budget session in seven years. However, experts suggest that only 200 to 250 of these questions will be discussed in the House, with only 22 sittings scheduled and typically just 7-8 questions (or a maximum of 10 to 12 on rare occasions) being addressed in a single day.
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Since MLAs cannot raise inquiries regarding terrorism, law and order, All India Services, and related issues under the Central Government’s jurisdiction, their focus has shifted to sectors such as Tourism, Works, Finance, Industry & Commerce, Power, Health, and both Rural and Urban Development Departments, among others.
The Question Hour is set to commence on March 4, with only obituary references to be acknowledged on March 3 when the House reconvenes following Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s Address to the Legislature.
“Many queries have addressed the powers of the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister, Cabinet, Ministers, and Administrative Secretaries,” sources revealed, noting that the powers, except for those of the LG, are not yet defined as the Business Rules are pending issuance.
On March 4, 26 starred and 15 un-starred questions are scheduled for the House. Starred questions will be open for discussion, while members will receive only written responses for un-starred inquiries.
Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather is anticipated to form various House Committees during the budget session. There are several Committees within the Assembly that oversee the operations of different departments, maintain discipline and ethics within the House, and provide reports to the Speaker, which are later presented to the House.
“Some Committees will be led by MLAs from the ruling party and its allies, while the chair of a few Panels is likely to be assigned to the Opposition,” sources indicated.
Out of 90 total seats in the House, only 88 are occupied due to two vacancies. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah vacated the Budgam seat while retaining Ganderbal, and BJP figure Devender Singh Rana passed away shortly after the elections. By-elections for these two seats have not yet occurred.
Among the 88 MLAs, there are five Ministers in addition to the Chief Minister and the Speaker, leaving 81 MLAs eligible to present questions, private member resolutions, and private member bills. Each MLA can submit up to 20 questions—10 each for starred and un-starred categories—allowing for a potential total of 1620 questions.
Nonetheless, officials assert that 1300 questions posed by the legislators represent a “good number” based on the Legislative Assembly’s historical context. Additionally, previous inquiries often related to the Home Department and All India Services, which cannot be raised now as the Home Department is directly overseen by the Union Home Ministry through the Lieutenant Governor.
As the BJP, holding 28 MLAs, has finalized its strategy for the budget session during a two-day training camp in Katra, the Legislature Parties of the National Conference and Congress are scheduled to meet separately at 2 PM tomorrow to outline their agendas. However, the BJP may also convene its Legislature Party meeting before the session starts.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has three MLAs, while the People’s Conference, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), and CPM each have one MLA. There are also six Independent MLAs.
