J&K Assembly Passes Statehood Resolution Amid BJP Walkout

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday adopted a resolution calling for the urgent restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory, even as Bharatiya Janata Party legislators staged a walkout in protest.

The resolution was moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Its discussion was marked by sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches, with BJP members objecting to references to the erstwhile state's status before August 5, 2019.

Ten amendments were tabled during the debate. Eight of them sought to widen the resolution's scope to cover the restoration of the special status Jammu and Kashmir held before August 2019.

Protest in the well of the House

BJP legislators raised slogans of "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and demanded that Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather vacate the chair, entering the well of the House. The party said 23 legislators had signed a motion against the Speaker and insisted it be taken up and put to vote before any other business.

Rather said he had not seen the motion and referred to the relevant rules of procedure. He noted that even if a written notice of a motion against the Speaker were submitted, it could be included in the House's business only on a date no earlier than 14 days from the notice.

Five bills introduced

On the same day, the Chief Minister introduced five bills in the Assembly. Three of them seek amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Ministers' and Ministers of State Salaries Act, 1956; the Salaries and Allowances of Members of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Act, 1960; and the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Members' Pension Act, 1984.

A fourth bill aims to consolidate and amend existing laws to shift from permission-based controls to rule-based governance. According to its stated objectives, it seeks to give greater certainty to citizens and businesses, promote ease of doing business and ease of living, attract investment, generate employment and support long-term economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.

Abdullah also introduced a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.