Srinagar, Mar 1: Stage is set for the first budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will address the Legislative Assembly in Jammu on Monday.
MLAs have been instructed to maintain decorum and attentively listen to the address. “The session will begin with the National Anthem, which will be played by the band as the Lieutenant Governor arrives at the dais, and again after the conclusion of the address. All relevant parties, including the Chief Minister, the Speaker, and various administrative departments, have been informed of the event”.
The address will be broadcasted and telecasted by Doordarshan Kendra and All India Radio, ensuring wide coverage across both Jammu and Srinagar.
Issues like Article 370, reservations, human rights, and election commitments made by the National Conference in its election manifesto are expected to take center stage. Ahead of the session, all major political parties are holding separate meetings of their legislature parties in the winter capital, Jammu, tomorrow to chalk out their strategies for the session.
BJP and Kashmir-based parties are set to take on the ruling National Conference-led alliance over a gamut of issues. While the 28-member BJP plans to corner the government on commitments made by the National Conference in its election manifesto, ranging from free electricity to free ration, the Kashmir-based parties, including the PDP and Peoples Conference, will question the government on issues like Article 370 and the alcohol ban.
Both the PC and PDP have already set the tone for a stormy session by bringing resolutions and bills on Article 370 and alcohol. The BJP has indicated that it would oppose any move to raise issues like Article 370 in the House. Sunil Sharma, leader of the opposition in the J&K Assembly, told the Speaker during an all-party meeting held in Jammu on February 27 that they wouldn’t permit any unconstitutional and anti-national resolution, question, or bill in the House.
As earlier reported, the National Conference and Congress are holding separate legislature party meetings in Jammu tomorrow to devise their strategy for the session. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will chair the NC meeting at his official residence on Wazarat Road, while Tariq Hamid Karra will preside over the Congress meeting at party headquarters in Jammu. The BJP is also expected to hold its legislature party meeting in Jammu on March 2 or 3.