Srinagar, October 1 (KNS): Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi has called for substantially longer sessions of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, saying that democratic accountability cannot be meaningful when the legislature is given inadequate time to function.

Reacting to the conclusion of the seven-sitting session, Inam pointed out that 646 questions were received, but only 31 were taken up on the floor, leaving a large number of issues raised by elected representatives without adequate opportunity for discussion.

“Legislative time is not the Government’s time. It belongs to the people. Every question raised in the Assembly represents a concern of the people who elected their representative,” he said.

Inam said seven sittings are simply inadequate for a legislature representing the entire J&K.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel“The Assembly cannot become a legislature that meets briefly, asks a few questions and then goes home. Question Hour is a vital instrument of democratic accountability and elected representatives must have adequate time to question the executive on unemployment, recruitment, education, healthcare, roads, water, power and other public issues,” he said.

He urged the Government and Assembly leadership to establish a substantially longer annual Assembly calendar, with sufficient time for Question Hour, constituency issues, legislative scrutiny and meaningful debate. “The people need an Assembly that sits longer, questions harder and holds the executive accountable. A strong democracy requires a strong legislature and a strong legislature requires adequate time to do its job,” Inam said.(KNS)