Gave my ruling, not going to change it: Speaker

Jammu, Apr 8: Speaker Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather Tuesday asserted that he had given his ruling about the adjournment motions on the Waqf Amendment Act and he was not going to change it (ruling).

He stated this while responding to media queries after the adjournment of the House for the straight second day on the issue without transacting any business.

Rather reiterated, “I’ve quoted sub-rule 7 and 9 of Rule 58 (of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Legislative Assembly) in the House, which backed my ruling. I gave a ruling yesterday, they again brought similar adjournment motions. I reiterated what I said yesterday also. Besides being a sub-judice matter, which cannot be discussed under sub-rule 7 as I repeatedly explained, this matter is not in the domain or ambit of the government. So under sub-rule 9, such matters cannot be discussed in the House.”

He stated that the Act in question could be undone only by the Parliament or by the judiciary by declaring it as the ultra-vires.

“The members were insisting to reconsider it but my contention remains the same – I’ve strictly acted as per rules. I’ve given my ruling and I will not change it. For me, this is not important what the government (Ministers) is saying, I’ve to go by law and play neutral being the custodian of the House,” the Speaker said, responding to a related query.

About a “no-confidence motion” submitted by the Peoples Conference’s Sajad Lone and two PDP legislators Fayaz Ahmad Mir and Rafiq Ahmad Naik against him (Rather) to the LA Secretary, the Speaker said, “If they have submitted it to the LA Secretary, it is perfectly fine. This is part of the game. We will examine it and it will be dealt with as per law. We will present it before the House, which will take a call on it. If the House has no confidence in me, I’ve no right to be there.”

Explaining the procedure, the Speaker said, “After examining it (motion), the Speaker will have to decide a date for its hearing in the House and make a decision on it. As per the rules, there should be a minimum gap of 14 days between the date of submission of notice and the date fixed for hearing in the House. Anyway, this notice will be examined and will be dealt with as per rules.”