Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Sep 30
Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the House sine die on Wednesday, urging legislators to raise public issues constructively and thanking them for their participation during the 10-day autumn session.
In his concluding address, Rather said his responsibility as presiding officer was to facilitate members in raising issues concerning their constituencies, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“I have tried to accommodate every member irrespective of party affiliation,” he said, recalling that he had made it clear after taking the oath that he did not belong to any political party.
Rather said the limited duration of the session had restricted opportunities for legislators to participate in debates and raise public concerns. More sittings, he said, would have allowed greater participation and helped the Chair accommodate more members.
Referring to disruptions and heated exchanges during proceedings, the Speaker said such incidents were common in legislatures worldwide but urged members to express their concerns constructively. He said the Opposition also had its own compulsions that needed to be considered.
“I could have marshalled them out, but I did not and I remained patient,” he said.
Rather asked legislators to inform him if assurances or issues raised in the House were not followed up by the government. He also praised the Council of Ministers for handling multiple departments, singling out Minister Sakina Itoo for her extensive responsibilities and visits across Jammu and Kashmir.
Referring to his earlier remarks to Minister Satish Sharma over delays in notifying the vehicle policy, Rather said his comments were not personal and that people had high expectations from a minister heading a department concerned with youth.
He also commended Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for regularly attending the session, responding to issues and coming prepared for proceedings. The chief minister, he said, had intended to attend the concluding proceedings but was unable to do so because of official commitments.
The Speaker also referred to a motion moved by a BJP member seeking his removal, saying it provided an opportunity to reflect on his conduct. The motion could not be listed during the session because rules required it to be taken up after 15 days, while the autumn session lasted only 10 days. Rather said he had asked the Assembly Secretary to explore provisions for listing it in the next session.
He said the motion would allow him to understand the concerns raised against him and identify any shortcomings in the way he had conducted the House.
Rather acknowledged the contributions of Assembly staff, security personnel, the Public Health Engineering Department, the Power Development Department and other departments involved in managing the proceedings.
He also praised the media for reporting legislative proceedings and highlighting public concerns, describing the press as an important pillar of democracy and a link between the Assembly and the people.
The Speaker said journalists had to report proceedings carefully, as inaccuracies could lead to privilege motions. He also acknowledged the work of Assembly employees despite staff shortages and said their service-related concerns, including promotions, were being examined.
The autumn session began on September 21 and concluded on September 30 after seven sittings.
