Srinagar, Aug 4 (KDC) — The Legislative Assembly session of Jammu and Kashmir is likely to be convened in mid-September in Srinagar, with an expected duration of 7 to 8 sittings over approximately 10 days, official sources indicated.
According to a report in Daily Excelsior, the session must be held before October 9, in line with the Rules of Procedure, which mandate that the Assembly meet at least once every six months. The last full Budget session was adjourned sine die on April 9, followed by a special one-day session on April 28 in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, including 25 tourists and a local.
The report states that while the final decision to convene the session rests with the Government, it must be formally conveyed to the Lieutenant Governor, who then issues the notification to summon the House. A proposal has reportedly been mooted to schedule the session in mid-September, before the Government shifts to Jammu in the first week of November.
Unlike previous sessions, this one is expected to focus primarily on legislative business. During the last Budget session held in Jammu between March 3 and April 9 (excluding a 10-day recess), only one bill—related to Goods and Services Tax (GST)—was introduced and passed by the Omar Abdullah-led Government.
This upcoming session may see the introduction of additional bills, and a day each will be allocated for private members’ bills and resolutions. During the previous session, these days were lost amid disruptions by MLAs protesting the Waqf bill passed by Parliament.
The number of questions allowed from each MLA is also expected to be reduced for this session. Sources told Daily Excelsior that five starred and five un-starred questions per MLA will be permitted—compared to ten each during the Budget session. Starred questions are debated during Question Hour, while un-starred ones receive written replies only.
The number of private members’ bills and resolutions will be finalized by the Speaker once the session’s duration is officially confirmed.
While Parliament and most state legislatures typically hold three sessions—Budget, Monsoon, and Winter—Jammu and Kashmir has for years followed a two-session practice: a Budget session in Jammu and a brief session in Srinagar. This tradition aligns with the biannual movement of government offices between the two capitals.
Although the Civil Secretariat’s physical move between Jammu and Srinagar was discontinued in 2021, the current Government led by Omar Abdullah has pledged to restore the Durbar Move tradition.
