The first budget session in seven years of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly commenced today with the Lieutenant Governor’s address to the House.
According to the list of businesses scheduled for 3 March, the budget session began at 10:00 AM, with LG Manoj Sinha addressing the House in Jammu.
This marks the second time in less than four months that Sinha has addressed the assembly, having previously spoken on 4 November 2024.
Half an hour after the LG’s address, the Speaker will lay a copy of the address on the table. Following this, the Speaker will announce the names of the panel of chairmen.
The House will then take up an obituary reference on the demise of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Syed Ghulam Hassan Geelani (ex-minister), Syed Shamsher Singh Manhas (former MP), Ghulam Hassan Parrey (ex-MLA), and Choudhary Piara Singh (ex-MLA).
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Meanwhile, reports suggest that the ongoing budget session is expected to be stormy, with the BJP and Kashmir-based opposition parties preparing to corner the ruling alliance on a range of issues, including Article 370 and electoral commitments made by the National Conference in its poll manifesto.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone has submitted a resolution seeking condemnation of the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A, while PDP, NC, and AIP legislators have brought bills on alcohol prohibition, reservations, and regularisation of land.
During his address, LG Sinha called for “inclusivity, sustainable development, good governance, and growth of the economy.”
Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed its first disruption during LG Manoj Sinha’s inaugural address, ahead of the all-important budget session, taking place nearly seven years after the state was reduced to a Union Territory in August 2019.
MLA Langate Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad on Monday staged a protest inside the central hall of the Legislative Assembly when Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha began his address.
The Awami Ittehad Party legislator protested over deaths that occurred in Baramulla and Kathua last month. As soon as the LG began his address, Khursheed, carrying placards, sought justice for the families of two men killed in Baramulla and Kathua.
As he attempted to disrupt proceedings, he was removed from the House by marshals.
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