SRINAGAR: Amid growing controversy over the adjournment motion brought by the National Conference-led government regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025—which led to disruptions in the JK Assembly for three consecutive days—former Lok Sabha Secretary General P D T Achary on Monday said such a motion cannot be brought against actions of the central government in the JK Assembly. He also said that members of the ruling party cannot initiate an adjournment motion in any legislature.
Achary, an authority on parliamentary affairs, said, “An adjournment motion against the central government can only be brought in the Lok Sabha. It cannot be brought on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the JK Assembly.”
The National Conference and its allies had submitted notices seeking to adjourn Assembly proceedings to discuss the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. However, the Speaker rejected these motions, stating the matter is sub judice.
Achary described the ruling party’s move to introduce adjournment motions in the JK Assembly as “strange”, saying such motions are censure motions against the government and can only be initiated by the opposition.
“In the JK Assembly, only the opposition can bring an adjournment motion against the elected government,” he said.
A censure motion is an expression of disapproval of a specific policy, action, or conduct of the government, a minister, or a group of ministers. It is used to highlight a government’s failure.
The adjournment motion has its origin in the House of Commons in the United Kingdom.
In India, the rules of the pre-independence bicameral legislature under the Government of India Act, 1919, provided for adjournment. In 1952, the adjournment motion was included in the Lok Sabha Rule Book.
As per Rule 56 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Legislative Assembly, a motion for adjournment of the business of the House to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance may be made with the Speaker’s consent.
It is pertinent to mention that three MLAs from the ruling alliance in J&K had withdrawn their cut motions after they were informed that the device could not be used, as it amounts to expressing disagreement with the government’s budgetary proposals. (KNO)
