MLA Handwara, in a post on X, pointed out that the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly permit each member to submit ten questions during a non-budget session—five starred and five unstarred. He cited Rule 45 which states: "No member shall give notice of more than ten starred and ten unstarred questions in respect of a budget session and five starred questions and five unstarred questions in respect of any other session."

 

However, the bulletin issued by the Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday restricts members to not more than four starred and four unstarred questions each. According to reports, the bulletin states that members can submit not more than four starred and four unstarred questions by or before August 25, 2026, in relaxation of Rule 32 of the Rules of Procedure .Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

"This is not a small thing," Lone asserted. "It effectively means that 83 members (excluding the Council of Ministers and the Speaker) of the House are prevented from asking 166 questions (83 × 2). And 166 issues that could have been raised will now not be raised."

 

The MLA Handwara urged Speaker, whom he described as the "custodian of the House," to review the decision and restore the rightful question quota of members in accordance with Rule 45.

 

"Such a move sets a bad precedent and defeats the purpose of legislative oversight," Lone added.

 

Notably, this is not the first instance of restrictions being placed on members' right to question the government. Previous budget sessions had witnessed limitations on questions concerning All India Services, including IAS, police, law and order, and security matters, unless permitted by the Speaker under special circumstances . (KNS)