Jammu, March 28: The Legislative Assembly on Saturday passed three important Bills through voice vote, marking a significant step towards governance reforms, social equity and strengthening of the judicial framework in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Bills were moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and were subsequently put to vote by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, who presented bills before the House for passage.
The House passed L.A. Bill No. 01 of 2026, which seeks to amend certain enactments to decriminalise and rationalise minor offences, thereby promoting trust-based governance and improving ease of living and doing business in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Assembly also approved L.A. Bill No. 02 of 2026, aimed at eliminating discrimination against persons affected by leprosy. The legislation ensures equal treatment, removes stigmatizing provisions and enables the government to fulfil its obligations through affirmative action.
Further, the House passed L.A. Bill No. 03 of 2026, which proposes amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Courts Act, 1977 (Svt), with the objective of improving the efficiency and functioning of the judicial system.
All three Bills were passed by voice vote after being taken up for consideration.
Earlier, the amendments proposed with respect to these bills by Legislators Saifullah Mir, Nizamuddin Bhat, and Balwant Singh Mankotia were withdrawn following assurances from the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah laid on the Table of the House copies of key financial and audit documents pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir’s finances.
The documents placed before the House include Finance Accounts (Volume I) for the year 2023–24; Finance Accounts (Volume II) for the year 2023–24; Appropriation Accounts for the year 2023–24; and report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Union Territory Finances for the year 2022–23.