Jammu Tawi, Jan 7:
Ahead of the upcoming Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has directed all government departments to submit draft Bills and other legislative proposals well in advance to ensure timely legal scrutiny and smooth conduct of legislative business.
In an official circular, the Department said that all proposals intended to be introduced during the Assembly session and requiring legal vetting must be forwarded early, as reasonable time is needed for their proper examination. The directive aims to avoid last-minute delays and procedural lapses during the session.
The Department cited Part C of the Transaction of Business of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019, which lays down the procedure for initiating legislation and mandatory consultation with the Law Department.
It further instructed that all rules and notifications required to be laid before the Legislative Assembly must be placed on the table of the House during the ensuing session to meet statutory requirements.
Importantly, the circular said that legislative proposals requiring the recommendation or concurrence of the Lieutenant Governor, under Section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, must be submitted well in advance to the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat at Lok Bhavan.
The Department also directed all Financial Commissioners (Additional Chief Secretaries), Principal Secretaries and Commissioners/Secretaries to strictly adhere to the prescribed procedure while dealing with questions, Bills and other legislative business.
Additionally, Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments (HODs) have been instructed to remain present in the House whenever matters related to their respective departments are taken up for discussion, to ensure effective responses and informed deliberations.
The move is aimed at strengthening legislative preparedness, ensuring procedural compliance and facilitating efficient conduct of the Budget Session of the Assembly. KNO
