Five Calling-Attention Motions To Highlight Road, Water, Crop Loss, ST Certificate And Cattle Disease Concerns
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, September 27 :
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is set to witness a busy sitting on Monday, September 28, with a broad legislative and public-issue agenda lined up for discussion.
According to the List of Business issued by the Legislative Assembly Secretariat and accessed by KNC, the proceedings will commence at 10:00 am with Question Hour, followed by five Calling-Attention Motions concerning issues raised by members from different constituencies.
Among the major legislative items scheduled for the day is the introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, besides further discussion on the resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 25.
Road Construction Delay To Be Raised
Congress MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) is scheduled to draw the attention of the Deputy Chief Minister, who is also Minister in charge of Public Works, towards the delay in starting construction work on the Jawdara-Barni Road.
The member is expected to seek details regarding the reasons for the delay and steps being taken by the concerned department to commence and complete the project.
Kishtwar Water Shortage On Assembly Agenda
BJP MLA Shagun Parihar will raise the issue of drinking-water scarcity in Kishtwar town and Tunder area of Dachan before the Minister in charge of Jal Shakti.
The matter is expected to focus on the availability of drinking water and measures required to address the concerns of residents in the affected areas.
Hailstorm Damage In Gulmarg Constituency
MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah is scheduled to raise before Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his capacity as Revenue Minister, the extensive agricultural and horticultural losses reportedly caused by the severe hailstorm that struck several villages of the Gulmarg constituency during the intervening night of September 11 and 12.
The areas mentioned in the Assembly agenda include Haibilgam, Devbugh, Hardubani, Katibugh, Check-Charitram, Nangerpora, Kreshama, Yaal, Bewah, Mangalore, Mughama and Rawanpora.
According to the motion, the hailstorm affected apple orchards, fruit crops, maize, paddy/rice and other standing crops, causing financial losses to families dependent on agriculture and horticulture.
ST Certificate Issues In Uri To Be Taken Up
Dr Sajad Shafi is scheduled to bring before the Chief Minister, as Minister in charge of Revenue, the issue of alleged delays in processing and rejection of ST certificates of eligible applicants under the Pahari Ethnic Group category in Uri constituency.
The member is expected to seek clarification regarding the status of pending applications and measures for resolving the issue.
Lumpy Skin Disease In Samba Also On Agenda
Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal will raise concerns over an alleged serious outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease among cattle in Ramgarh constituency of Samba district.
The motion refers to reported cattle deaths and losses suffered by dairy farmers and seeks intervention through vaccination drives, deployment of veterinary teams, medicines and compensation measures.
Ease Of Doing Business Bill To Be Introduced
One of the key legislative items before the House will be the introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, listed as L.A. Bill No. 11 of 2026.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his capacity as Minister in charge of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, is scheduled to introduce the legislation.
The proposed law seeks to establish a regulatory framework aimed at reducing procedural burdens on enterprises and making approvals more predictable, while promoting investment, employment generation, economic activity and Ease of Living.
The Bill proposes a shift towards rule-based regulation instead of routine permission-based controls, along with greater transparency and time-bound decision-making.
‘Permission By Exception’ Proposed
A key feature of the proposed framework is the principle of “Permission by Exception”, under which an enterprise would generally be permitted to undertake an activity unless it is specifically prohibited by law.
The Bill also proposes a “One State Principle”, under which applicants would not ordinarily be required to repeatedly submit information, documents or approvals already available with another government authority.
Other proposed principles include risk-based regulation, proportionality, transparency, predictability and time-bound disposal of applications.
Deemed Approval Provisions
The proposed legislation provides for an In-Principle Approval mechanism for new enterprises.
Enterprises proposed in approved industrial parks would be eligible for such approval within three working days after submission of the prescribed Declaration of Intent.
For enterprises outside approved industrial parks, the District Empowered Committee would be required to take a decision within 30 working days.
For existing enterprises, the proposed decision-making period would extend up to 45 working days.
The Bill provides for deemed approval in specified circumstances where a decision is not taken within the prescribed period.
Three-Year Inspection Moratorium Proposed
Another provision in the proposed legislation concerns inspections and coercive action.
The Bill proposes a three-year moratorium on inspections and coercive measures relating to approvals of registered enterprises, subject to prescribed conditions.
However, inspections could be undertaken in cases involving serious complaints, subject to the approval mechanism and recording of reasons prescribed under the proposed law.
Action could also be initiated where an enterprise is found to have furnished false information, violated construction or other applicable regulations, or failed to comply with minimum fire-safety requirements.
Under specified circumstances, the District Empowered Committee could revoke an In-Principle Approval, direct action against unauthorised construction or permit regularisation subject to penalties and compliance requirements.
UT-Level Council And District Committees Proposed
The proposed legislation provides for the creation of a Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Council.
The Council would be headed by the Chief Minister, with the Chief Secretary and ministers dealing with various departments proposed as members.
An Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary has also been proposed to oversee implementation of the framework.
At the district level, District Empowered Committees would be headed by the respective Deputy Commissioners.
The proposed committees would include representatives of various departments and agencies, including administration, police, municipal bodies, development authorities, forests, mining, fire and emergency services, Jal Shakti, labour and pollution control authorities.
These committees would facilitate declarations, process In-Principle Approvals and review specified district-level decisions concerning rejected applications or delays beyond prescribed timelines.
The Statement of Objects and Reasons states that the legislation is part of efforts to reduce compliance burdens through simplified regulatory procedures, digitalisation, decriminalisation of minor offences and removal of redundant legal provisions.
It further states that 20 out of 23 identified Phase-I priority reforms had been implemented in J&K.
Assembly To Resume Discussion On Statehood Resolution
The House is also scheduled to resume discussion on the resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 25.
The resolution has been placed in the day’s business after the introduction of the Ease of Doing Business Bill and before the Private Members’ Business.
33 Private Members’ Bills Listed For Introduction
The Assembly agenda also includes the introduction of 33 Private Members’ Bills covering a wide range of subjects.
The proposed legislation includes matters concerning online gaming and fantasy leagues, substance-abuse prevention and rehabilitation, electricity-dues relief for AAY, PHH and BPL consumers, district-cadre reservation, healthcare staffing in remote areas, solid-waste management, disaster compensation, government employees’ transfers and employment opportunities for educated youth.
Other proposals relate to the establishment of a Gurez Development Authority, amendments to the Civil Services (Decentralization and Recruitment) Act, regulation of government transfers, changes to reservation legislation, protection of long-term temporary workers and amendments concerning water resources.
Digital News Publishers Bill Proposed
Among the Private Members’ Bills is a proposal by Saif-ud-Din Bhat concerning the registration, recognition, accreditation and functioning of digital news publishers and social-media news channels in Jammu and Kashmir.
The proposed framework includes provisions relating to ownership transparency, editorial responsibility, media monitoring, fact-checking, access to official information, accreditation and grievance redressal.
Two Private Members’ Bills Listed For Consideration
The House has also scheduled two Private Members’ Bills for consideration and passing.
Tanvir Sadiq is slated to move consideration of a Bill seeking restoration of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Act, 1960 and associated rules to their original form prior to the 2022 Land Grant Rules, along with provisions aimed at protecting existing leases and occupants.
Meanwhile, Sajad Shaheen is scheduled to move consideration of a Bill proposing establishment of a university campus at Banihal in Ramban district.
The proposed campus is aimed at expanding access to higher education, promoting research and contributing to socio-economic development in the region.
With Question Hour, Calling-Attention Motions, government legislation, discussion on the Chief Minister’s resolution and extensive Private Members’ Business all listed, Monday’s sitting is expected to cover a wide range of legislative and constituency-specific matters. (KNC)