J&K Assembly budget session likely to have double sittings daily

Srinagar, Jan 30: The upcoming budget session of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly is likely to have two sittings daily, as MLAs cutting across party lines demanded the same during the Business Advisory Committee meeting chaired by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Friday.
The BAC meeting held in the Speaker’s chamber was attended by members from National Conference, Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and CPI (M).
Senior CPI(M) leader and MLA from Kulgam, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, said that BAC members unanimously demanded that there should be double sittings daily so that they can raise their issues.
“The Speaker agreed to the suggestion and told us that the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in J&K Assembly permit the House to function until 5:00 PM, and even it can run beyond that,” he said.
MLA from Kupwara and senior most PDP legislator, Mir Muhammad Fayaz, said that the House is likely have two sittings daily to allow discussion on constituency-specific issues as well as other matters confronting Jammu & Kashmir and its people.
As per existing practice, the House meets in the morning at 10:00 AM and is adjourned at 1:30 PM.
However, as per Rule 14 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly allows the House to conclude at 17: 00 hours with a lunch break for one hour.
The budget session of Jammu & Kashmir assembly is likely to be stormy with the opposition parties-especially BJP-likely to corner the government on a gamut of issues. (KNO)