Several MLAs to Raise Public Health, Water Supply, Road Connectivity and Cancer-Related Concerns; Municipal Act Amendment and Dozens of Private Members’ Bills Also on Agenda
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Sept 23 :
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is set to take up a wide range of public-interest issues during its sitting on Thursday, September 24, with critical healthcare infrastructure, drinking water shortages, pesticide-related health concerns and road connectivity among the prominent matters listed for discussion.
According to the official List of Business issued by the J&K Legislative Assembly Secretariat, the House is scheduled to meet at 10:00 AM. The agenda includes questions, Calling Attention Notices, government business and a substantial number of Private Members’ Bills.
Javid Hassan Baig to Raise Ventilator Failures at GMC Baramulla
MLA Javid Hassan Baig is scheduled to draw the attention of the Minister in-charge Health and Medical Education towards the reported non-functionality of ventilators at Government Medical College, Baramulla.
The issue relates to the availability and functioning of critical-care equipment at the government medical institution, with concerns over preparedness for patients requiring emergency and intensive medical care.
Irshad Rasool Kar to Flag Acute Water Shortage in Sopore
Sopore MLA Irshad Rasool Kar will raise the issue of an acute shortage of functional water tankers in the Sopore constituency before the Minister in-charge Jal Shakti.
The matter concerns severe water scarcity in the constituency and the reported shortage of operational tankers available for meeting the requirements of residents.
Waheed Para to Raise Cancer Concerns Linked to Pesticide Use
MLA Waheed Ur Rehman Para is scheduled to call the attention of the Minister for Health and Medical Education towards concerns mentioned in his notice regarding the reported rise in cancer incidence associated with the use of spurious and sub-standard pesticides in Jammu and Kashmir.
The issue particularly relates to agricultural and horticultural areas, where pesticide use is an important public-health concern.
Mankotia to Highlight Landslide-Affected Roads
MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia will raise before the Deputy Chief Minister, who is Minister in-charge Public Works, the closure and poor condition of roads connecting Nagulta-Razar and Gujad Chirdi to Thenidhar.
The notice attributes the disruption to landslides and non-maintenance, stating that the condition of the roads has affected traffic movement and caused inconvenience to the public.
Omar Abdullah to Introduce J&K Municipal Act Amendment Bill
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, in his capacity as Minister in-charge Housing and Urban Development, is scheduled to introduce “A Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000.”
The proposed legislation is listed as L.A. Bill No. 10 of 2026. The Assembly document states that the Bill has already been published in an extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette.
School Education Resolution to Continue
The House will also continue discussion on a Resolution moved by the Minister for School Education on September 22, as listed in the business scheduled for Thursday.
Dozens of Private Members’ Bills Listed
The Assembly agenda also includes a large number of Private Members’ Bills covering education, healthcare, employment, land rights, tourism, environment, social welfare and regional development.
Among the notable proposals listed are.Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad: Bill seeking compulsory education of children of public men and public servants in government educational institutions.Dr Syed Bashir Ahmad Veeri: Bill proposing measures to regulate the destruction of Karewas through excavation of clay, sand, gravel and other material.Pawan Kumar Gupta: Bill seeking amendment of the J&K Excise Act.Mir Mohammad Fayaz: Bill seeking prohibition of advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption and manufacture of alcoholic drinks in J&K.Ali Mohammad Sagar: Bill proposing a complete ban on sale and consumption of liquor in J&K* Mubarik Gul.Bill proposing stringent measures against offences involving unhygienic, rotten and unsafe meat.Payare Lal Sharma: Bill seeking free electricity for households in Kishtwar in recognition of the district’s contribution to power generation.Mir Saifullah: Bill seeking equal compensation for victims of accidents by the government.Waheed Ur Rehman Para: Bill concerning ownership of State land by long-term occupants and regularisation of tourism-related and other lands in possession.Nizam-ud-Din Bhat: Bill proposing uniformity in the design, construction and aesthetics of structures in Kashmir Valley while preserving its cultural and ecological landscape.Altaf Ahmad Wani: Bill concerning protection of land and employment rights of J&K domiciles.Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi): Bill proposing marriage assistance for poor girls of marriageable age.Javid Hassan Baig: Bill aimed at preventing plastic pollution and regulating plastic waste in the ecologically fragile region of J&K.Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah: Bill seeking prohibition of import, manufacture and sale of polythene in Kashmir Valley.Shamim Firdoos: Bill proposing awareness, prevention, free screening and financial assistance related to breast cancer.Gulam Ahmad Mir: Bill proposing establishment of a residential and technical university in J&K.Tanvir Sadiq: Bill seeking establishment of a Jammu and Kashmir Urban Commission for planned and sustainable urban development.Qaysar Jamshaid Lone: Bill proposing free medical and healthcare facilities for citizens suffering from life-consuming diseases.Justice Hasnain Masoodi: Bill concerning reservation in employment in red-category industries in J&K.
Healthcare, Employment, Tourism and Regional Development Issues Also Listed
The agenda also includes Private Members’ Bills proposed by Tariq Hameed Karra on illegal fishing and sustainable fisheries; Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi on a statutory reintegration commission for Kashmiri migrants; Arjun Singh Raju concerning management of Sarvadhar and Ghaladhar shrines; and Iftkar Ahmed concerning free and timely emergency healthcare and functional critical-care infrastructure in government medical colleges.
Other proposals listed for consideration relate to the Hospital Development Fund, contractual employees, minimum wages, regularisation of daily wagers and casual labourers, prohibition of liquor in Kashmir Valley, protection of agricultural land and welfare of senior citizens.
The agenda also contains proposals concerning tourism development, women’s welfare, eco-friendly housing around Srinagar lakes, and reorganisation of administrative divisions and districts.
One proposal by Waheed Ur Rehman Para concerning administrative reorganisation includes provisions relating to the proposed creation of Chenab Division and Pir Panjal Division.
Ministerial Replies Not Part of Current List of Business
The List of Business issued for September 24 identifies the questions, MLAs, concerned ministers and issues scheduled to be raised in the House. It does not contain the ministers’ replies or answers.
The Assembly Secretariat’s business document indicates that questions and answers are maintained separately. Therefore, the ministerial responses to the listed questions cannot be accurately reported from the present document.
The Thursday sitting is consequently set to witness discussion on a broad range of issues directly concerning healthcare facilities, drinking water, road connectivity, agriculture, public health, employment, environment, urban development and regional administration.(KNC)