Srinagar :Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, Monday convened a high-level meeting with the Chairmen of various Assembly Committees to apprise them of their functions and outline their core responsibilities for ensuring robust governance.
Surjeet Singh Slathia, (Chairman Committee on Public Accounts), Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi (Chairman, Committee on Estimates), Mir Saifullah (Chairman, Committee on Public Undertakings), Ali Mohammad Sagar (Chairman, Committee on Government Assurances), Nizam-ud-din Bhat (Chairman, Ethics Committee), Justice Retd Hasnain Masoodi (Chairman, Committee on Privileges), Muzaffar Iqbal Khan (Chairman, Committee on Subordinate Legislation) and Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah (Chairman, Committee on Petitions) were present in the meeting.
During the meeting, the Speaker highlighted the essential function of Assembly Committees in ensuring executive accountability through thorough, detailed, and non-partisan examination of government policies, public spending, and proposed legislation. To improve parliamentary oversight, the Speaker introduced several directives aimed at enhancing the accountability of the executive branch. A significant point raised was the issue of absenteeism among committee members. The Speaker mandated that members must not miss two or more consecutive committee sittings without authorization, with strict consequences for violations as per the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Legislative Assembly. Additionally, he established a minimum interval of 15 days between consecutive meetings to allow the Assembly Secretariat and relevant government departments sufficient time to prepare necessary materials and agenda items. To facilitate effective scrutiny, the Speaker insisted that only one government department should be examined per committee sitting, ensuring that discussions remain focused on the scheduled agenda points. He emphasized the need for close collaboration between the General Administration Department and the Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Department to enhance the effectiveness and meaningfulness of committee operations. Furthermore, the Speaker called for a Circular from the General Administration Department to all departments, urging adherence to the recommendations and observations from reports presented to the House. He noted that the agenda workload would be managed by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). In conclusion, the Speaker encouraged all committee Chairmen to lead with commitment, reinforcing the legislative oversight mechanism as a vital tool for promoting public welfare and ensuring transparent governance. The meeting included participation from key officials, including Commissioner Secretary GAD M. Raju and Secretary JKLA Manoj Pandita, along with senior officers from relevant departments.
