J&K Assembly Unites Over Officers’ Absence, Speaker Raises Concern with Chief Minister
Members across party lines demand accountability as empty officers’ gallery sparks concern during Question Hour
JAMMU, Apr 1: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed an unusual moment of unity on Wednesday, as legislators from both ruling and opposition parties strongly objected to the absence of senior government officials during proceedings. The matter was formally brought to the attention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.
The issue surfaced towards the conclusion of the Question Hour when National Conference MLA Nazir Ahmad Gurezi highlighted the vacant officers’ gallery. His concern quickly resonated across the House, prompting members from all sides to stand in protest and demand accountability.
Responding to the uproar, the Speaker acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and assured members that their concerns had been noted. He emphasized that while logistical limitations may prevent the entire Secretariat from attending, it is essential that relevant officers are present whenever questions pertaining to their departments are discussed.
Rather stressed that the responsibility lies with the government to ensure the attendance of concerned officials, so they can properly respond to queries and take note of issues raised by legislators.
Expressing disappointment, Gurezi remarked that in his 22 years as a legislator, he had never witnessed such disregard for the Assembly. He recalled earlier practices when top officials, including the Chief Secretary and Commissioner Secretaries, regularly attended proceedings, maintaining the dignity of the House.
Calling for stricter action, he urged the Chief Minister to hold accountable those officers who fail to appear, asserting that the Assembly’s authority must be respected by all levels of administration.
Adding to the concerns, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma described the absence of officials as inappropriate and suggested that a formal notice be issued to the Chief Secretary seeking clarification. He further proposed that if concerned officers are not present, the House should consider deferring or dropping related business.
The unified stance of the Assembly highlighted growing concerns over administrative accountability and the need to uphold the sanctity of legislative proceedings.
