“Srinagar February 26 : Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has asserted that legislators cannot publicize bills, resolutions, or questions before they are officially admitted by the Speaker, dismissing opposition claims that such restrictions are unfair.
Speaking to news agency ahead of the upcoming Budget Session of the J&K Assembly, which is set to begin on March 3 and continue until April 11, Rather made it clear that following parliamentary procedure is not a matter of personal discretion but an institutional norm.
Clarifying his stance on the issue, he stated, “I don’t want to be a marshal, nor do I wish to impose rules arbitrarily. I am simply following parliamentary procedure. What Mehbooba Ji is saying is against the rules.” His response came after criticism from PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, who argued that legislators should have the freedom to discuss bills with the media before they are officially admitted.
Rather explained that Rule 368 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Assembly explicitly states that no member or any other person shall publicize a notice for a bill, resolution, or question until it has been admitted by the Speaker and circulated among the members. Until this process is complete, it remains confidential. He further pointed out that similar restrictions exist in the Lok Sabha under Rule 334A, reinforcing that such rules are standard parliamentary practice. Citing parliamentary procedure books by M.N. Kaul and S.L. Shakdher, he emphasized that making legislative matters public before formal admission constitutes a procedural impropriety.
Elaborating on the importance of these rules, Rather noted that publishing questions before Speaker approval, disclosing answers before they are presented in the House, or making notices of adjournment motions and resolutions public before formal admission all violate parliamentary decorum. He stated that such actions could invite the Speaker’s displeasure, as they breach long-standing legislative conventions.
On the preparations for the Budget Session, Rather said that all necessary arrangements were underway to ensure its smooth functioning. He confirmed that meetings had been held with department officials and media representatives to clarify their roles and responsibilities. The session will include the Governor’s address, budget presentation, discussions on departmental grants, and deliberations on resolutions, questions, and bills.(KNS)
