Gurmeet Kaur
Jammu Tawi/Srinagar, September 26 : The ongoing Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly session has witnessed sharp exchanges between the government and opposition, with issues concerning employment, electricity tariffs, regularization of daily-wage workers and demands of NHM employees coming to the forefront.
The session began on a stormy note, with BJP legislators protesting over the recent electricity tariff hike, outsourcing of government jobs and the long-pending demand for regularization of daily-wage workers and NHM employees. The protests disrupted proceedings, with members entering the Well of the House and raising slogans. The Speaker subsequently adjourned the House amid the uproar.
The employment issue has also emerged as a major point of debate. According to a report citing figures raised by MLA Sajjad Lone in the Assembly, 7,580 vacancies were filled over the previous two years, while 40,672 posts remained vacant. The figures and questions regarding the pace of recruitment were raised by the legislator and should therefore be viewed in that context.
Opposition parties have also raised concerns over the reservation policy, outsourcing of government work and the status of temporary and daily-wage employees. These issues have added to the pressure on the government during the session. The BJP has specifically sought action on NHM employees, daily wagers and electricity consumers.
The restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood has emerged as another major point of confrontation inside the House. While ruling-side members have pressed the statehood issue, opposition members have simultaneously raised employment, power and workers’ concerns, resulting in competing slogans and disruptions during the proceedings.
With the Assembly session continuing, the government is facing questions on employment generation, electricity tariffs, regularization of workers, reservation and governance. The coming proceedings are expected to bring further debate on these issues and provide an opportunity for the government to present its position and responses in the House.