Publicity of notices against the rules, conventions of parliamentary procedures: Speaker
Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, FEB 24:
In response to recent publicity of notices by some members, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather today said that as per rules and conventions of house, a notice shall not be given publicity by any member or other person until it has been admitted by the speaker.
The Speaker, while talking on the issue said, “Rule 368 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, provides that notice shall not be given publicity by any member or other person until it has been admitted by the Speaker and circulated to members. Similarly, a notice of a question shall not be given any publicity until the day on which the question is answered in the House”.
The Speaker, further said , “Rule 334-A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha also provides that notice shall not be given publicity by any member or other person until it has been admitted by the Speaker and circulated to members. Also a notice of a question shall not be given any publicity until the day on which the question is answered in the House”.
While commenting on parliamentary procedure and practice by renowned authorities on the subject, the Speaker said, “As per the commentary on practice and procedure of Parliament by Shri M.N. Kaul and Shri S.L. Shakdher who are renowned authorities on the subject, it is provided that according to the parliamentary practice, usage and convention it is improper to give for any reason premature publicity in the Press to notices of questions, adjournment motions, resolutions, answers to questions and other similar matters connected with the business of the House. If this takes place, the Speaker may express his displeasure against the person responsible for it”.
Referring to comments made by PDP Leader Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, Mr. Rather said “I am sorry to say that she had not been properly advised and her statement is against the Rules position”.
The Speaker also highlighted some instances of such improprieties and breaches of conventions as:
“Publication of questions before they are admitted by the Speaker and before their answers are given in the House or laid on the Table. Publication of answers to questions before they are given in the House or laid on the Table. Publication of notices of adjournment motions or resolutions before they are
Speaker reviews security
admitted by the Speaker or mentioned in the House”. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather further said, “This is first time that the Members have done so and I have conveyed my displeasure. But if they insist on this I shall have to take action against them, as per Rules”.
Regarding Budget Session, the Speaker said that it will start from 3rd March till 25th March and then there is a break due to holidays and it will again start from 7 April to 11 April.
He also said that before budget session there will be an all party meeting.
Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker, Abdul Rahim Rather, today convened a meeting to review security and other related arrangements for the ensuing Budget Session of current JKUT Legislature to be held at Jammu from 3rd March, 2025.
Present in the meeting were the officers from different departments including Commission Secretary, GAD, M. Raju; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu, B S Tuti; Secretary, Law, Achal Sethi; DC Jammu, Sachin Vaishya; Commissioner, JMC, Dr Devansh Yadav; Director, Information, Nitish Rajora; SSP Traffic; CMO Jammu; SSP Security Secretariat besides Secretary, JKLA Manoj Kumar Pandit and other senior officers of concerned departments.
The Speaker issued specific directions to the concerned departments for ensuring that all requisite arrangements are put in place for smooth and seamless conduct of the upcoming budget session.
Threadbare discussion was held on security arrangements, traffic regulation, fire services, uninterrupted power supply, provision of sufficient and regular supply of water to the Legislative Complex, health facilities and media arrangements among other things.
Regarding the security arrangements, the Speaker directed the concerned officers for deployment of adequate staff well versed with Parliamentary traditions within the premises of J&K Legislative Assembly at Jammu. He asked them for ensuring adequate security arrangement for safety and security of the Legislators within the MLAs Hostel, Jammu as well as outside.
To ensure proper regulation of traffic on roads leading to J&K Legislative Assembly Complex/Civil Secretariat Jammu and MLA’s Hostel Jammu, the Speaker called for putting in place necessary measures for avoiding inconvenience to general public on this account.
The Speaker also directed for provision of deploying adequate fire fighting tenders in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Jammu while also checking the fire extinguishers and fire hydrants already installed in JKLA and MLA hostel Jammu.
He directed the Estates Department to ensure completion of any pending work within the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Jammu particularly in the Central Hall, House and VIP Chambers. He also directed to install intercom telephone facilities within the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly at Jammu, besides checking of telephones already installed within the VIP Chambers.
Regarding availability of space for implementation of National E-Vidhan in the Legislative Assembly, the Speaker asked the Director Estates Department to get the rooms vacated from other departments in the Assembly Secretariat.
The Speaker directed the PDD authorities to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the course of the session. He also asked the JMC to ensure cleanliness in and around the entire premises and lawn of the legislature complex. He directed the JKTDC to ensure canteen facility in the premises for the convenience of the legislators and staff of Legislature. He directed the Medical authority to provide medical facilities during the entire session.
The Speaker also asked the Information department to ensure proper and due coverage of the proceedings of the House besides making available adequate PAS, mikes and other related things during the session. He directed the BSNL authority to install and restore the telephones in the chamber of Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister.
The senior officers present in the meeting assured the Speaker that all the necessary arrangements will be put in place well before commencement of the current Budget session of JKLA.
