SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die on Wednesday, formally bringing the seven-day Autumn Session to an end.
The session was held in Srinagar from September 21 to 30, with Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather using his concluding remarks to thank legislators, Assembly staff and officials involved in conducting the proceedings.
Rather said the Chair’s responsibility was to enable members to raise public issues and convey the concerns and expectations of their constituents.
He said he had sought to accommodate members regardless of their political affiliations and reiterated that he did not belong to any political party.
The Speaker also acknowledged that the session was brief, saying longer sittings would give legislators more opportunity to participate in debates and raise constituency-specific issues. He said accommodating every member during limited sittings was difficult and asked legislators to understand the constraints of the Chair.
Referring to disruptions and heated exchanges during the proceedings, Rather said such incidents occurred in legislatures across the world but urged members to raise their concerns constructively. He also said the Opposition had its own compulsions that needed to be taken into account.
“I could have marshalled them out, but I didn’t. I have to keep patience,” Rather said.
He urged members to inform him if issues or assurances raised in the House were not subsequently acted upon.
Rather praised the Council of Ministers for handling multiple departments and also referred to Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma’s remarks on schooling. He asked Sharma to take his observations positively, saying he was young and had a long future ahead.
“He is dear to me and expectations from him are high,” Rather said, adding that young people also had expectations from their leaders.
The Speaker also commended Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for his regular attendance and participation during the session. According to Rather, the Chief Minister responded to issues himself and came prepared with substantial work. He said Abdullah had wanted to attend the concluding proceedings but was unable to do so because of official commitments.
Rather also acknowledged the contribution of Assembly staff, security personnel, the Public Health Engineering Department, Power Development Department and other line departments in facilitating the session.
He described the press and media as an important pillar of democracy and a link between the Assembly and the public, saying journalists highlight people’s issues and keep citizens informed about proceedings. He also acknowledged the sensitive nature of media coverage during a session while noting its overall contribution.
The Speaker praised Assembly staff for managing the proceedings despite being limited in number and said work was under way on service-related demands raised by them, including promotions.
The House was subsequently adjourned sine die, concluding the 2026 Autumn Session.
