Speaker interacts with media fraternity ahead of Budget session

Jammu, Jan 27: Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather Tuesday held a meeting with the media personnel of different news organisations at the Assembly Secretariat Jammu to facilitate smooth and efficient coverage of the forthcoming Assembly session starting from February 2, 2026.
The interaction was aimed at fostering better coordination and ensuring smooth, accurate and responsible coverage of proceedings of the House.
During the interaction, the Speaker emphasized the important role of the media in strengthening democratic institutions and keeping the public informed about legislative business. He highlighted the need for mutual cooperation between the Chair and the media to facilitate seamless coverage while maintaining the dignity, decorum and traditions of the House.
The Speaker said that the media acts as a vital bridge between the people and the legislature, ensuring the citizens remain aware of policies, discussions and decisions that shape governance across Jammu and Kashmir.
Recognizing the significance of media in highlighting public issues, the Speaker sought cooperation from media houses for balanced and responsible reporting of the Session. He emphasized the critical role of journalists in ensuring transparency and public awareness of legislative discussions and advised them to keep public interests paramount while discharging their professional assignments.
The Speaker discussed various issues concerning media professionals, identifying additional requirements to enhance their working environment during the session. The deliberations also focused on ensuring hassle-free entry of media persons to the Legislative Assembly premises and as well as their facilitation for smooth coverage of the session.
The Speaker informed the media that pending work on the New Legislative Assembly Complex will be started soon and shall be completed within 18 months. He also said that National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) will be partially introduced in this session to encourage paperless functioning. He added that NeVA will be fully implemented in the next assembly session.
While reviewing the arrangements for media personal, the Speaker emphasized the importance of taking necessary measures to prevent inconvenience to journalists covering the proceedings. He instructed the Assembly Secretariat officers to prepare and issue entry passes for journalists in coordination with the Information Department well in advance for their unhindered entry into the assembly complex.
To enhance media accessibility, the Speaker directed the Information department to install sufficient number of microphones and Public Address Systems (PAS) within the Assembly Hall, facilitating smooth interaction between the dignitaries, Ministers, legislative assembly members and the journalists.
The Speaker directed the Hospitality & Protocol department to install Shamyana for press briefings and interviews by the MLAs and Ministers.
The Speaker also directed the SSP Security, Civil Secretariat to ensure hassle free entry of media persons along with appropriate parking arrangements near the Assembly Secretariat.
The IT department was directed to ensure WiFi and internet services with high speed so that the media persons, Legislators and employees may not face any inconvenience during the session.
During the interaction, the Speaker also invited constructive suggestions from the journalists for improving media engagement and coverage of legislative business.
Representatives of both print and electronic media expressed their appreciation for the Speaker’s proactive approach. They shared valuable inputs on improving accessibility and communication channels between the media and the Assembly Secretariat. They highlighted key concerns like designating parking spaces, entery passes, provision of high-speed Wi-Fi for seamless coverage and extension of other logistical support.
In response to concerns raised by the media fraternity, the Speaker assured them that the highlighted issues would be addressed promptly. He said the Assembly Secretariat remains committed to ensure a conducive environment for media persons to discharge their professional duties.
The meeting was attended by Director Information, Nitish Rajora; Secretary, JKLA, Manoj Kumar Pandita, SSP Civil Secretariat Security Sajjad Bhat, SSP Traffic Amit Bhasin alongwith veteran Journalists, Bureau Chiefs, Senior journalists and correspondents besides representatives of All India Radio, Doordarshan and other concerned officers.