In preparation for the upcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly scheduled for March 3, 2025, the administration has issued directives to all departments to appoint nodal officers and establish question cells at the departmental level.
According to an official order, the 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 stationed 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,” reads the order. It further stated that administrative secretaries and heads of departments must ensure compliance with these directives.
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 in the starred and 10 in the unstarred categories—along with three private member’s bills.
However, certain restrictions have been imposed on asking 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 J&K Legislative Assembly was held in January-February 2018. The session holds particular significance as it is going to 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—J&K and Ladakh—in August 2019—(KNO)
