The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a rare show of unanimity, with members across party lines expressing strong concern over the absence of senior officials from the officers’ gallery. The issue prompted Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to take it up with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The matter was raised by National Conference legislator Nazir Ahmad Gurezi towards the end of Question Hour, drawing support from both treasury and opposition benches. Members rose in protest, highlighting what they described as a growing disregard for legislative proceedings.
Responding to the concerns, the Speaker assured the House that the issue had been noted, underlining the importance of the presence of concerned officers when questions related to their departments are taken up.
“It is neither reasonable nor feasible for the entire Secretariat to be present here due to space constraints. However, the Chief Minister must ensure that the officers concerned are present during such proceedings, take proper notes, and respond satisfactorily to members’ concerns,” Rather said.
Gurezi, expressing dismay, said that in his 22 years as a legislator, he had never witnessed such neglect of the House. Pointing to empty chairs in the officers’ gallery, he remarked that earlier, senior officials including the Chief Secretary and Commissioner Secretaries regularly attended proceedings, upholding the dignity of the Assembly.
“Today, officials tend to avoid attending. The Chief Minister must take action against those who fail to appear,” he said, asserting that the House is supreme and all officials must remain accountable to it.
BJP legislator Sham Lal Sharma also termed the absence of officers an improper practice and called for corrective measures. He urged that a formal notice be issued to the Chief Secretary seeking an explanation.
Sharma further stressed that administrative secretaries of departments with listed business must be present in the House, adding that proceedings should be deferred or dropped if the concerned officer is absent.