The budget session of the J&K Assembly faced disruption on Friday as MLAs from both ruling and opposition parties raised slogans condemning the Israeli attack on Iran. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather adjourned the house for half an hour due to the chaos caused by the protesting MLAs, who resumed the session after a five-week recess. Members from both sides stood up, disrupting the Question Hour despite the Speaker’s appeals for order.
In a show of solidarity, MLAs from the ruling National Conference, Congress, CPI-M, Independents, and the opposition PDP voiced their condemnation of the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei by Israel. Meanwhile, BJP members demanded a National Law University in Jammu by holding placards during the session. The budget session resumed in Jammu after a five-week break, following the initial leg held from February 2 to 20.
During the first session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the budget on February 6, with the House approving grants for various departments after detailed discussions in twin sittings each day. The ongoing session is scheduled to conclude on April 4, with March 30 and April 1 designated for private members’ bills, and March 31 and April 2 set aside for private members’ resolutions.
The J&K Assembly comprises 90 members, with 47 from the Valley, 43 from the Jammu division, and the Lieutenant Governor having the authority to nominate 5 additional members. Additionally, 24 seats are reserved for areas of J&K under Pakistan’s control. The ruling National Conference holds 46 seats, followed by the BJP with 29, Congress with 6, PDP with 4, and other parties with one seat each, along with an independent member.
