The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly budget session beginning in Jammu on Monday is likely to be stormy as the BJP has vowed not to allow a resolution seeking the restoration of Article 370 or any other “anti-national or unconstitutional” bill to be tabled in the house.
The over month long budget session is likely to witness acrimonious exchanges between the Treasury and Opposition benches also on a range of other issues like the private members’ bills proposing prohibition on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and manufacture of liquor across the Union Territory.
The focus of this session will be the private members bills submitted in the Assembly by the members.
The National Conference has said the Speaker would take a final call on business of the House and they (BJP) are just making such statements for scoring brownie points.
Peoples Conference chairman and former minister Sajad Gani Lone has submitted a resolution in the Assembly seeking condemnation of abrogation of Article 370 and Art. 35A.
Lone has also sought restoration of the pre- August 5, 2019 constitutional position.
Several private member bills are also expected to spark debate.
A proposed liquor ban has gained momentum, with PDP’s Mir Mohammad Fayaz, AIP’s Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad, and NC’s Ahsan Pardesi advocating for a complete prohibition on alcohol in the Union Territory.
PDP’s Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra has introduced a bill seeking ownership rights for residents living on state land for over two decades, along with another bill aimed at regularization of daily wagers and temporary workers.
NC’s Dr. B.A. Veeri has put forward a reservation reform bill, proposing a 40% cap for reserved categories and 60% for open merit, a move backed by student groups.
Veeri has also introduced legislation to protect Karewa lands from unchecked soil extraction and mining, citing their ecological and archaeological significance. With these key proposals on the table, the session is expected to witness intense discussions and political maneuvering.
Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Sunil Kumar Sharma on Thursday said that the BJP will not allow any “anti-national or unconstitutional” bill to be tabled in the House during the upcoming budget session.
“Our stand is clear. We will not allow any unconstitutional and anti-national bill to be introduced in the budget session,” he told reporters.
The Congress has decided to support the Omar Abdullah government but would raise issues of public importance.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has urged MLAs to maintain decorum and avoid unparliamentary language during the session
Security measures have been heightened around the legislative complex, and essential infrastructure upgrades are being completed to accommodate the participants.
This marks the first budget presentation under the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government since it assumed power on October 16, 2024, bringing an end to six years of central rule.
Ahead of the start of the budget session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday and discussed various issues relating to the forthcoming Budget Session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
The previous session in November witnessed unruly scenes after the ruling NC passed a resolution seeking restoration of J&K’s statehood and its special status.