Several legislators including those from the ruling National Conference today withdrew their private members’ bills after assurances by the government that their concerns and suggestions would be duly considered and incorporated into future government policies.
The ruling National Conference MLA, Tanvir Sadiq introduced a Bill to provide for prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and addressing the drug abuse crisis and establishment of addiction treatment facilities and rehabilitation centers besides ensuring community involvement to curb this problem.
The bill was withdrawn by the MLA after the government assurance that they would introduce a bill on the issue.
CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami introduced a private member’s bill seeking the establishment of a Lokayukta in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure transparency and accountability in public administration.
The proposed “Lokayukta Act, 2025” aims to replace the defunct Jammu and Kashmir Accountability Commission Act, 2002, which was repealed following the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
The Bill draws its legislative backing from Section 63 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, which mandates that every State must constitute a Lokayukta to deal with complaints of corruption against public functionaries.
A brief but sharp debate unfolded in the Legislative Assembly when CPI(M) leader Tarigami introduced the bill to ensure transparency and accountability in public administration.
Explaining the intent of the legislation, the Bill’s statement of objects and reasons notes that “the prime object behind the abrogation of Article 370 was to eradicate the cancer of corruption, and to achieve this, it is essential to establish a Lokayukta in the union Territory.”
Responding to the motion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that “Jammu and Kashmir is presently a union Territory, and once statehood is restored, the government will bring a comprehensive Bill on the matter.”
Unconvinced, Tarigami countered that such a stance effectively means “people must continue to suffer under corrupt public servants who evade accountability for want of action till date.” After the Chief Minister’s response, Tarigami withdrew the bill.
The legislator from ruling NC, Mir Saifullah introduced a bill to provide for the protection and regularization of services of employees working on a contractual basis, casual laborers and daily wagers in any department to protect against loss of their livelihood.
Responding to the bill, the Chief Minister said the issue is already being examined by a sub committee headed by the JK Chief Secretary.
“We want to resolve this issue as the government recognises the hardships faced by casual labourers and daily wagers,” Omar said while urging Mir to withdraw the bill.
Mir, however, pointed out that he believes that the bureaucrats would never finalize the report and suggested that the Chief Minister take the 2014 data of casual labourers and daily wagers for their regularisation.
Mir later withdrew his bill. Similarly Congress legislator Nizam-ud-din Bhat, NC’s Altaf Ahmad Wani and Mubarik Gul withdrew their respective bills.
Bhat introduced a bill to provide for establishment of a Legislative Forum for Monitoring and Protection of Human Rights in the union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Altaf Wani introduced a bill to provide for immediate financial relief to fire victims for reconstruction and rehabilitation through the district administration
Mubarik introduced a bill to provide for the social security and welfare of artisans and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
PDP legislators Waheed Para and BJP’s Balwant Singh Mankotia pressed their private members bills for introduction, however following the voice vote, the House didn’t grant leave for introduction.
