Need to learn about UT assembly functioning, rights, limitations: CM

Jammu, Jan 9: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday stated that all Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), including him, were the “first-timers in the J&K Assembly in the present set-up and needed to learn about its functioning in the Union Territory.”

He, however, asserted that the Union Territory set up would not remain forever and exuded confidence that the Centre would restore statehood to J&K, as it promised to the J&K people.

“We - many of us - have been Members of this House but then J&K was a State. It is a different set-up now. Union Territory has a different functioning. It (UT as well as its Assembly) functions differently. It has different rules and rights. We all need to learn how we will work and what our rights, powers and limitations will be,” he said responding to media queries after inaugurating a three-day orientation programme for the newly-elected Members of the Legislative Assembly here.

“Speaker Sahib organised this programme to make MLAs acquainted with the practices and procedures under the new set-up. It is a good move. It is heartening that the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha also attended this programme. I believe this will go a long way in enlightening the MLAs and equipping them to serve people in a better manner, raise and address their (people’s) issues in an impactful manner as a representative,” CM Omar said.

Prior to it, in his address at the orientation programme, he stated that it (the programme) would prove to be immensely beneficial in the long run, for years together.

“Though in a way by organising this orientation programme, we are creating a problem for ourselves only. The more you (MLAs) are aware and enlightened, the more you will take the government to task. Probably, this peaceful atmosphere, (with MLAs listening to him in rapt attention) would be there for the first and last time,” he stated, in a lighter vein.

“Not to talk of MLAs, I’ve even seen Governor Sahib walking out of this podium in the same chamber. Here even the tradition to disrupt Governor sahib’s address has been there. That tradition (to disrupt proceedings) will continue,” the Chief Minister said. “But despite that people don’t remember for long the acts of disruption viz., perching atop the desks or tables in the House, tearing, and tossing away the papers from the Speaker's table. The media would definitely give hype to such acts. But they remain short-lived as they are not recorded. They don’t become part of monumental history. Before coming here I was checking the names of noted parliamentarians and they included Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, Atal Behari Vajpayee, George Fernandes, Somnath Chatterjee, Piloo Mody, Chanderskekhar Sahib and many others. But I believe they were never among those who would have ever entered the well of the House and disrupted the proceedings or would have misbehaved with the Chair (Presiding Officer),” CM said.

He stated that Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather mentioned that the orientation programme was mainly meant for new MLAs – the first-timers.

“But I believe that we all are first-timers, including the Speaker Sahib, who has been elected to the House for the seventh term. The reason being that we earlier represented in the House of J&K State. We all have entered as MLA of J&K in the changed scenario (as UT) for the first time,” he said.

He, however, hastened to add, “This is okay as it will not remain so forever. The central government, which has promised to restore statehood to J&K, will fulfil its promise, I’m convinced. But in the ensuing (budget) session, we will be serving the people as MLAs of J&K Union Territory. UT has a different kind of functioning. It has different rights. We will have to understand those rights, limitations and the difference between the State and UT assemblies. I hope we will be able to understand.”

ON DELHI ELECTIONS

Responding to media queries about Delhi assembly elections and the role of INDIA bloc partners, the Chief Minister said that he or his party had nothing to do with that exercise despite being part of this alliance. “Unfortunate thing is that no meeting of the INDIA bloc is being convened. Therefore, there is no clarity. It will be better if a meeting is called after Delhi polls so that clarity is there,” CM Omar said.

When asked about some of INDIA bloc partners’ assertion that the alliance was only for Lok Sabha polls, the Chief Minister said, “As far as I remember no time limit was fixed for it (bloc). In the absence of a meeting, there is no clarity about the leadership, agenda or future strategy as to whether the partners will continue to be part of it or not.”

“But if this (alliance) was only for parliamentary polls, then it should be wound up so that we can take a separate path. But if it’s for assembly elections also then we need to sit together to chalk out a plan of action collectively,” he said.

“As far as Delhi assembly polls are concerned. We have nothing to do with it. We are not involved so far in any manner. It is for the Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and others on the ground to decide as to how they can take on BJP effectively,” he said.

A government spokesperson said that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated a three-day Orientation Programme for the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir.

The programme, held in the Central Hall Jammu, is being jointly organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the J&K Legislative Assembly from January 9 to 11, 2025.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister appreciated the Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly for meticulously planning the programme.

Reflecting on the contributions of eminent parliamentarians like Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Behari Vajpayee, Somnath Chatterjee, Indrajit Gupta, Chandra Shekhar and Pranab Mukherjee, he remarked on their incisive analysis, deep understanding, and dignified conduct in Parliament.

He urged the MLAs to emulate these distinguished leaders and contribute meaningfully to the Assembly’s deliberations.

Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of the orientation programme for familiarizing MLAs with rules of procedure and conduct of business.

Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandit at the beginning of the programme thanked the Speaker for prioritising capacity building of legislators.

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, encouraged the MLAs to work diligently and understand legislative norms to ensure the smooth functioning of the House.

He highlighted the significance of such programmes in equipping legislators with knowledge about budget formulation and centrally sponsored schemes that benefit marginalized communities.

In the technical session, P K Mallick, Director of PRIDE, presented the objectives of the institute and its role in building the capacity of legislators while strengthening democratic values.

Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates, Sanjay Jaiswal, delivered a lecture on the committee system in Indian legislatures, sharing insights and suggestions for forming and managing committees effectively.

Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also addressed the gathering, further enriching the session with his perspectives.

The three-day programme aims to equip MLAs with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their contributions to legislative processes and governance.