SRINAGAR: The Legislative Assembly’s Rule Committee on Tuesday approved necessary modifications in the existing Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business, authorising the Speaker to implement them.
The committee meeting, chaired by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, was held at the Legislative Assembly complex in Jammu.
According to sources, there was consensus among committee members that only slight modifications should be made to the rules to ensure the smooth functioning of the Assembly.
MLA Rajouri and committee member Muzaffar Iqbal Khan said there was unanimity among members that no major amendments were needed, except for minor modifications required for business transactions in the House.
He added that the committee has granted the Speaker approval to implement these modifications under his existing powers.
“The Speaker was already empowered to do so under the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019,” he said, adding that the committee has now finalised its work.
BJP MLA R.S. Pathania said that the modifications are necessary for the effective functioning of the Legislative Assembly and will be carried out by the Speaker as per the Reorganisation Act of 2019.
“The Speaker is authorised to make these changes following the passage of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019,” he said.
It is noteworthy that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the modifications, calling them an endorsement of the constitutional changes made on August 5, 2019. (KNO)
