Jammu and Kashmir government organises workshop for its ministers

Mufti Mohammad Sayeed

To sensitize its ministers and legislators about the rules of procedure and conduct of business in both the houses of state legislature, the Jammu Kashmir government on Monday organized the first ever workshop for them in the state.

The workshop, according to an official spokesperson, was necessitated as most of the legislators on the treasury benches including ministers, have been elected to the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council for the first time.

The Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed inaugurated the workshop which was organized by the J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (IMPARD).

The workshop, the first of its kind in the state, was organized on instructions of the chief minister, and among those present on the occasion included Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Syed Basharat Bukhari, besides various other ministers.

Its first technical session was conducted by senior National Conference leader and former Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, who shared with the new entrants his vast experience as former Speaker and also Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in running the affairs of the State Legislature. He also made them aware of the best practices available to successfully conduct business in the Legislature.

Speaking on the occasion, Mufti Sayeed described the state legislature as one of the most powerful houses of the country and asked the legislators to ensure that its honour is safeguarded. He asked the first time legislators to maintain its pride and admirably play their role as law makers so as to enable society function in a much better way.

“I want the new legislators to highlight issues on general policies of the government and problems confronting their respective constituencies,” he said, adding that “no other forum can match the powers that emanate out of the legislature”. He also called upon them to initiate quality debates, saying the “legislature gives unlimited powers to those who are not in power”.

Asking members to take the workshop seriously and acquaint themselves about its rules and procedures in vogue and highlight the areas of worry, Mufti emphasized on the revival of debates par excellence in both the Houses. He also asked the Opposition to keep the government on its toes by highlighting its weaknesses.

“I hope those sitting on opposition benches will play a constructive role in pointing out the shortcomings of the government. I assure that their views and observations will be taken seriously,” he said, adding that “we are here to do business in the Houses so that people who are the real stakeholders on the ground benefit from the policies and laws that we frame”.

Source:: Indian Express