SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Friday adopted the Motion of Thanks for the Lieutenant-Governor’s address, delivered to the newly constituted assembly of the Union Territory, on November 4. The Motion of Thanks was moved by MLA, Baramulla, Javid Hassan Baig and was seconded by MLA, Thanamandi, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan. The motion, on the final day of the session, was adopted through voice vote.
The Motion of Thanks adopted at the end of the discussion reads, “That the Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, assembled in this Session, are deeply grateful to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir for the Address which he has been pleased to deliver to Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on November 4th, 2024.”
Addressing the House, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said that it is success of the House that the Lieutenant Governor mentioned the “restoration of statehood and constitutional guarantees” to Jammu and Kashmir in his address on November 4. He said that workshops for the guidance of new members would be held to hone their skills to be good legislators who can represent the aspirations of people in a more robust and decent manner.
Cabinet Minister, Satish Sharma said that our government should be judged by how we work for the people. “We have committed to people of Jammu and Kashmir certain promises in our manifesto and our government is working to fulfil those at an earliest”, he said. He further said that all members in the House should work as a family for the betterment of society and leave no room for hatred.
MLA, Baramulla, Javid Hassan Baig, who moved the motion, said that they have got a mandate from people and it is our legal responsibility to give good governance to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
MLA, Thanamandi, Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, who seconded the Motion, extended his thanks to the Lieutenant Governor for his inclusive address to the assembly. He said that the LG’s address touched all aspects related to the empowerment of people of Jammu and Kashmir including Health, Education, and other developmental aspects. He said that LG’s mention of “restoration of full statehood and constitutional guarantees” in his address assumes huge significance.
MLA, Bandipora, Nizam Uddin Bhat said that we are committed to raise the voice of people in the temple of democracy. He said that people have expressed their will and we hope for a judicious disposal of what has been said. He also raised various developmental issues like employment, construction of highways, health infrastructure and other issues of public importance.
MLA, Tral, Rafiq Ahmad Naik said that development has taken at many fronts and he is not the one who will deny the truth. However, he said that much more needs to be done for the benefit of the people. MLA, Doda, Mehraj Malik while speaking on the motion said that he expects the statehood is restored “as soon as possible” as the LG has rightly mentioned in his address. He talked about fulfilling the developmental needs of people and urged members of the House to meet the expectations of the people.
MLA, Langate, Khurshid Ahmad Sheikh welcomed the LG’s mention of enhancement of infrastructure in schools and other public institutions in his address. MLA, Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the employment issues and urged the government to fulfil vacancies in the government departments at an earliest.
MLA, Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone while speaking on the Motion of Thanks to LG’s address said, “Let this Assembly not be remembered as one that betrayed the people’s will.” The other members of the House spoke on the Motion of Thanks for the LG’s address and highlighted the broader political, economic and social issues. They also raised the issues related to their respective constituencies and said that government needs to address the issues of the locals on priority basis.
Members of the Legislative Assembly also raised the issue of regularisation of daily wagers in different departments and said the regularisation should be one of the top priority of the present government. They highlighted the issue of raised electricity tariffs and said that locals should have been the first beneficiaries of the natural resources here as Jammu and Kashmir is the leading generator of hydro electricity.
The legislators demanded the transfer of power projects and said that government should actively pursue the matter with the Centre. They said that locals should be given preference in jobs in various NHPC projects operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The members also raised the issues of Rehbar-i-Ziraat, Rehbar-i-Khel, Rehbar-i-Janglat, NYC’s besides emphasizing over the restoration of Old Pension Scheme for government employees.
JK legislators also condemned the recent violence in unequivocal terms and said there is a need to work collectively for a peaceful and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir. The Assembly had met for a five-day session on Monday and the House was adjourned sine die by speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.
