Ministers cannot be asked to provide impromptu responses, says Speaker

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has clarified that, as per established rules, ministers cannot be asked to provide impromptu responses to issues raised by MLAs without prior notice.

During the Zero Hour in the ongoing Assembly session, he stated that without prior intimation, the concerned ministers would be unable to present their positions on such matters.

The session witnessed several pressing public issues being highlighted by MLAs.

RS Pura MLA Narinder Singh Raina sought the House’s attention toward the notices served to 39 shopkeepers in Satwari regarding their relocation due to the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. He was joined by MLAs Vikram Randhawa and Sham Lal Sharma in demanding the withdrawal of these notices until the affected shopkeepers are rehabilitated as per government assurances.

Kathua MLA Bharat Bhushan raised concerns over the increasing number of accidental deaths in Kathua due to overspeeding dumpers carrying construction material. He urged that these vehicles be restricted from plying through the town’s interiors to prevent further loss of lives.

One of the major issues raised was road blockages caused by incessant rains and snowfall. MLAs Sajad Shaheen, Javaid Mirchal, and Qaisar Jamsheed Lone highlighted the plight of residents in remote areas such as Mahu Mangit, Gool, and Neel in Banihal, as well as Machil and Karnah in Kupwara district, who are facing hardships due to road closures. They urged immediate measures to restore connectivity to these hilly regions and also demanded an uninterrupted power supply, especially during Sehri and Iftar timings.

Senior Assembly member Ghulam Ahmad Mir demanded an extension of the deadline for those constructing houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in remote areas. He argued that people whose land falls under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) are unable to meet the current deadline of March 31, 2025, and should be granted a sympathetic extension, considering their tribal and economically weaker backgrounds.

Bijbehara MLA Dr Bashir Veeri called for the initiation of village settlements in Anantnag to facilitate modernisation and updating of revenue records. He also pressed for the immediate posting of patwaris in his constituency, as people are facing difficulties in obtaining revenue extracts necessary for securing credit amid the sowing season in the Valley.

Later, Habbakadal MLA Shamima Firdous raised concerns over electricity curtailments affecting several consumers in her area who failed to pay fines charged by the concerned department. She demanded that their pleas be considered sympathetically in view of the holy month of Ramadan and that their power connections be restored until they can pay their bills.

Chenani MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia also raised an issue regarding a bridge in his constituency that has been declared unsafe, affecting a population of one lakh. He demanded the release of funds for necessary repairs to provide relief to the affected residents.