Speaker disallows amendments on Article 370, statehood

Srinagar, Feb 03: Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday announced that he had rejected an amendment moved by Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone on the issue of Article 370, “because a resolution on the same was already passed by the House.”

After Question Hour was over, Lone questioned the Speaker for disallowing amendments on Article 370, Article 35A, statehood, and rationalization of reservation.

The Speaker said he had disallowed the amendment because the Rules prohibit discussion on matters that have already been debated or on which the House has already taken a decision.

On the issue of statehood, the Speaker clarified that the restoration of statehood is outside the competence of the Government.

Lone challenged the ruling, stating that he was not asking for a law to be passed on statehood but merely expressing an intention regarding its restoration. —(KNO)