The Kashmir Dialogues
House to run on rules in force till new ones adopted
*LG to give final nod in consultations with Speaker
JAMMU, Oct 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will have new rules for running the sessions but till this is done, the Assembly will run as per the rules which were in force when J&K was a State prior to August 5, 2019.
Official sources told the Excelsior that whenever the Assembly session is called by the National Conference Government, the newly elected Speaker can constitute Rules Committee of the Assembly to devise rules for procedure and conduct of the business.
“The Rules framed by the House Committee can be passed in form of a Resolution in the Legislative Assembly and then adopted,” they said.
The Lieutenant Governor after consultation with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, will make rules for securing the timely completion of financial business, for regulating the procedure of, and the conduct of business in, the Legislative Assembly in relation to any financial matter or to any Bill for the appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and for prohibiting the discussion of, or the asking of questions on, any matter which affects the discharge of the functions of the LG, the sources said.
“Until rules are made the rules of procedure and standing orders in force with respect to the Legislative Assembly of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir shall have effect in relation to the Legislative Assembly of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” the sources said.
Financial matters in the Legislative Assembly will be taken up in consultations with the Lieutenant Governor by the Speaker, they added.
Sources said whenever first session of the Legislative Assembly is held, the newly elected Speaker can constitute a House Committee for framing the rules. The Committee can have members from all political parties.
The Rules framed by the Committee can be adopted in the House, they said.
“On several issues especially those pertaining to finances, the permission of LG will be required,” the sources said.
Last session of the Legislative Assembly was held in January-February 2018 when Jammu and Kashmir was a State. It was the budget session. However, in June 2018, the PDP-BJP coalition Government headed by Mehbooba Mufti collapsed following withdrawal of support by the BJP.
The Legislative Assembly was initially kept under suspended animation and was dissolved in November 2018.
Whenever held, this will be first session of the Legislative Assembly after over six and half years.
