Srinagar, Sept 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed heated exchanges over alleged bureaucratic interference in its functioning, with Congress MLA Nizamuddin Bhat accusing senior officials of challenging the authority of the Speaker and the elected government.
Raising the issue during the proceedings, Bhat urged Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather to place on record a letter from the law secretary concerning the resolution on restoration of statehood moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and adopted by the Assembly on Monday.
“The chief secretary and law secretary had written a letter, advising against the resolution. This challenges the powers of the Speaker and the government. I want to understand — can officers act as the government?” Bhat said.
He said the government had been formed under the Constitution and law following elections, and questioned the role of the legislature if its powers were curtailed.
“If the powers of this House are so curtailed, why are we here? What are we doing?” he asked.
The Bandipora MLA said elected ministers were accountable to the people but were being constrained by the bureaucracy.
“They are challenging the authority of the Speaker. This letter should be made part of the record and discussed in the House. Is this Legislature a panchayat?” Bhat said.
National Conference MLA Nazir Gurezi also raised the issue, accusing the BJP of challenging the dignity of the House.
Speaking on the restoration of statehood and the need for the resolution, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted what he described as the practical governance challenges of operating Jammu and Kashmir as a Union Territory.
Omar said the Speaker had received an opinion from the Law Department on the resolution, while he, as the minister in charge of the department, had not been informed about it.
“As the Law Minister, I have no information; the law secretary sent an opinion to you (Speaker). The chief secretary also sent you an opinion on the resolution. But I am unaware. This can only happen in a UT, not a state,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister also pointed to administrative delays, including the continued issues faced by daily-wage workers, while arguing that the existing Union Territory framework created constraints for the elected government in carrying out its responsibilities.
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