SRINAGAR, Sept 27: Legislative Assembly is set for a fresh confrontation on Monday over Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resolution seeking restoration of Statehood, with the BJP opposing references to autonomy and special status and the issue having already triggered protests and disruption in the House on Friday.
The resolution, which the Chief Minister moved on Friday, calls upon the Government of India for the “immediate and urgent restoration of full Statehood to J&K” while referring to earlier Assembly resolutions on autonomy and special status passed in 2000 and 2024, respectively.
The BJP has said it is ready for a debate on restoration of Statehood but has objected to the inclusion of references to autonomy and special status, terming discussion on these issues in the House “illegal”.
The confrontation over the resolution had disrupted proceedings on Friday, when BJP members tore copies of the document, entered the well of the House and raised slogans.
One of the members, Vikram Randhawa, was also marshalled out after he allegedly attempted to throw a chair towards the Treasury benches.
The Speaker subsequently adjourned the proceedings for half an hour and later adjourned the House till Monday.
After moving the resolution, Omar said he would cite “more examples” of how the absence of Statehood was “affecting” J&K and the functioning of the Government during the debate.
He said he would do so after members had participated in the discussion and he got an opportunity to reply at the end of the debate.
The resolution is scheduled to be taken up after Question Hour, five calling-attention matters and the introduction of a Government Bill by the Chief Minister.
Five calling-attention matters will also come up before the House.
Gurez MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi will call the attention of the Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the Public Works portfolio, to the delay in starting construction of the Jawdara-Barni road.
Kishtwar MLA Shagun Parihar will raise the issue of drinking-water scarcity in Kishtwar town and the Tunder area of Dachan.
Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah will seek the Government’s response to extensive crop and horticultural losses caused by the September 11-12 hailstorm in several villages of the Gulmarg constituency.
The areas listed include Haibilgam, Devbugh, Hardubani, Katibugh, Check-Charitram, Nangerpora, Kreshama, Yaal, Bewah, Mangalore, Mughama and Rawanpora. The hailstorm damaged apple orchards, other fruit crops, maize, paddy and other standing crops.
Dr Sajad Shafi will raise alleged administrative delays, non-processing and rejection of ST certificates for eligible applicants belonging to the Pahari Ethnic Group in Uri constituency, citing differences with criteria adopted in other constituencies of J&K.
Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal will raise the outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease among cattle in Ramgarh constituency of Samba district, citing cattle deaths, hundreds of affected animals and economic losses to dairy farmers.
He will seek vaccination, deployment of veterinary teams, medicines and compensation.
The House will also take up 33 private members’ Bills for introduction, covering employment, healthcare, education, social welfare and public services.
The proposals include Bills seeking a ban on online gaming and fantasy leagues, a framework for substance-abuse prevention and treatment, and a one-time waiver of outstanding electricity principal dues for AAY, PHH and BPL consumers.
Other Bills seek a right to shelter with five marlas of land for eligible landless households, district-cadre reservation for permanent residents, and need-based deployment of healthcare personnel in remote and snow-bound areas.
Several Bills deal with Government employees and recruitment, including mutual transfers, transfer regulation, amendments to the Reservation Act and regularisation of eligible long-term daily-rated, seasonal, ad hoc and contractual workers.
Waheed Rehman Para has proposed a Bill covering women’s and adolescent girls’ health, including nutrition, menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, maternal and child healthcare, and measures against sex-selective practices.
The list also includes proposals for university campuses at Bani and Gurez, youth employment guarantees, disaster rehabilitation, road maintenance, minor-mineral mining, tobacco prohibition and amendments to water-resource legislation.
Another Bill seeks a regulatory framework for digital news publishers and social-media news channels operating in or from J&K, covering ownership transparency, editorial responsibility, fact-checking, accreditation and grievance redressal.
The House will also consider two private members’ Bills for passage.
Tanvir Sadiq has moved a Bill seeking to restore the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Act, 1960, and its rules to their pre-2022 form while protecting existing leases and occupants.
Sajad Shaheen has proposed a Bill for establishing a university campus at Banihal in Ramban district to promote higher education, research and regional development.
