SRINAGAR: In preparation for the upcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, scheduled for March 3, 2025, the administration has directed all departments to appoint nodal officers and establish Question Cells at the departmental level.
According to an official order, heads of departments have been instructed to nominate nodal officers and set up Question Cells to provide timely and accurate responses during the session. The order also mandates that all government employees remain at their respective offices throughout the session to ensure smooth proceedings.
“No officer or official shall leave their station without prior approval during the session to ensure the smooth conduct of proceedings,” the order reads. It further directs administrative secretaries and heads of departments to ensure compliance with these instructions.
Reports indicate that 82 out of 90 Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) have submitted nearly 800 questions and 80 private members’ bills. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly had instructed each MLA to submit 20 questions—10 starred and 10 unstarred—along with three private members’ bills.
However, certain restrictions have been imposed on questions during the session. Written questions related to All India Services, including IAS, police, law and order, and security matters, will not be permitted unless the Speaker allows them under special circumstances. Additionally, debates on issues concerning All India Services will also be excluded.
The last budget session of the JK Legislative Assembly was held in January-February 2018. This session holds particular significance as it will be the first budget session since the collapse of the Mehbooba Mufti-led government in June 2018, following the BJP’s withdrawal from its alliance with the PDP.
Subsequently, President’s and Governor’s rule were imposed, leading to the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories—JK and Ladakh—in August 2019. (KNO)
