Speaker Legislative Assembly reviews preparations for Budget Session

Jammu, Jan 16: Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, Friday stressed on ensuring fool-proof security arrangements and other logistical preparedness for smooth and seamless conduct of upcoming Budget Session of Assembly scheduled to commence from 2nd February, 2025.
The Speaker issued these directions while chairing a high level meeting at Legislative Assembly Secretariat held here to review the arrangements for upcoming Budget Session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
During the meeting, the Speaker held comprehensive review of the arrangements being put in place for the forthcoming Budget Session. He laid emphasis on robust security measures and efficient logistical preparedness, highlighting that seamless coordination among all stakeholders is must for smooth session. “All departments have vital role in successful conduct of the Assembly Session and departments need to maintain due coordination and synergy with Assembly Secretariat”, the Speaker said.
While reviewing the security related arrangements, the Speaker directed the IGP Security to maintain fool-proof security arrangements within and around the Assembly Secretariat to ensure safety of members, staff, media personnel and other employees. He directed the security officers to maintain close coordination among the security agencies, strengthen access control mechanisms and remain vigilant throughout the session.
Advocate Rather directed the IGP for complete sanitization of the Assembly Secretariat before the start of session. He also asked for establishing a common control room for better monitoring and surveillance.
While reviewing the other key arrangements like sanitation, power supply, drinking water, fire safety, medical facilities and traffic management, the Speaker directed the concerned officers to maintain uninterrupted essential supplies like drinking water, power supply and other basic facilities during the entire session. He directed the officers of health department to ensure sufficient number of Ambulances, doctors, medical supplies and other facilities available during the Session.
Advocate Rather further asked the Director Estates to complete all works related to renovation and repairing before one week of the start of session. He also asked him for timely rectification of sound system in the House and addressing all logistical aspects well in advance so that the proceedings of the House are conducted without any inconvenience.
The Speaker also directed the officers of Fire and Emergency Services to strengthen the fire control measures in and around the Assembly Secretariat.
The Speaker also asked the Commissioner Secretary GAD to appoint Nodal Officers in all the departments for timely submission of replies to questions being submitted by the MLAs. He also asked the Commissioner Secretary to restrict passes for officers of Civil Secretariat and issue passes to officers who are required to be present during the session.
While reviewing coverage and media related aspects, the Speaker underlined that the Information department has major role during the entire session which act as a bridge between the government and the public. He asked the Director Information to maintain close coordination with Assembly Secretariat for timely finalisation of media persons to be called for coverage of session.
Advocate Rather also asked the Director to ensure timely issuance of passes and other arrangements for the media persons in synergy with Secretary Legislative Assembly. He also asked him to ensure timely establishment of Public Address System in the House.
Emphasising the importance of discipline and decorum during the Budget Session, the Speaker called upon all the departments to discharge their responsibilities with utmost professionalism and accountability. He underlined that the Budget Session is one of the most important sessions of the House and must reflect the highest standards of legislative functioning.
The Speaker also directed all the officers to ensure that contingency plans are also kept in place to handle any kind of eventuality or unforeseen situation.
Commissioner Secretary GAD, M Raju; Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar; Secretary Law, Achal Sethi; IGP Security, Sujit Kumar; Commissioner JMC, Devansh Yadav; Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Rakesh Minhas; Director Information, Nitish Rajora; DIG Jammu-Kathua-Samba Range, Shiv Kumar Sharma; SSP Civil Secretariat, Sajjad Khaliq Bhat; SSP Security Jammu, SSP Traffic Jammu City, Director Hospitality and Protocol, Director Estates, Director Ayush, General Manager Government Press Jammu, senior officers of Health, Jal Shakti, PDD, Fire and Emergency Services, besides Secretary Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandit and other senior officers of Assembly Secretariat attended the meeting.