On the first day of the budget session of the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly, which is expected to be stormy, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Monday said that he will not tolerate indiscipline in the House. The Speaker assured the members that enough time will be given to them to raise their issues during the budget session.
Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, Rather said that differences have space in democracy, but they must be expressed in a dignified manner. “There was a time when people would come to know about proceedings the next day through newspapers. Today, they are watching us live in their homes. We should not humiliate or disrespect each other,” he added. He also assured members that they would be given adequate time during the 27-day-long Budget session, which will have two daily sittings in its first half till February 19.
Rather urged members to use the session to highlight and seek redressal of public issues from their respective constituencies.
He said that people expect resolution of their problems in the Assembly. “People want solutions, not disruptions. You cannot satisfy them by creating disturbances. Constituents are watching how you are raising their problems,” Rather said.As the first part of the session concludes on February 19, the maximum budget-related work should be completed by then, he said, adding the Budget session will have two sittings, in accordance with the rules, which state that the House can sit until 5 pm.
Assuring sufficient opportunity to the members to speak in the House, he said while it may not be possible to accommodate everyone fully, but an attempt will be made to accommodate as many members as possible, because this is the one opportunity when you present the issues of your constituencies before the government and seek solutions.He reiterated that he will not tolerate indiscipline in the House. “My role is to maintain discipline in the House, and I will not allow indiscipline,” Rather said.
“You can make your point effectively through polite language, decency, and ethics. Convening this session costs money, and that money belongs to the people. We are representatives of the people, and the funds are also public money. We must respect that,” he said.He said they should not give the people any opportunity to say that their representatives go there only to create disorder and do not raise their issues.
Maintaining discipline in this House is his duty, the speaker said he will ensure discipline. “I will not tolerate any attempt to disrupt order under any circumstances.” However, he said he wants that the situation should never arise where the Chair is compelled to take strict action.
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