Jammu-Kashmir Assembly: J&K Assembly Sees Second Day of Uproar as Govt Pushes Four Key Bills

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly witnessed its second consecutive day of uproar on Thursday as the government moved to pass four significant bills related to tenancy reforms, panchayati raj, labor welfare, and cooperative societies. This legislative push comes on the heels of a bill introduced on Wednesday to increase the maximum age limit for the State Election Commissioner (SEC) from 65 to 70 years, and amidst a contentious debate sparked by alleged communal remarks made by a BJP MLA in the house.

Government's Ambitious Legislative Agenda

The legislative calendar for the day includes four pivotal bills aimed at bringing substantial reforms across various sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, while the first among these is the Jammu and Kashmir Tenancy Bill, 2025 (L. A. Bill No. 4 of 2025). This bill seeks to establish a dedicated Rent Authority to regulate the renting of premises and to safeguard the rights of both landlords and tenants through an expedited adjudication system. This is a crucial step towards creating a more transparent and equitable tenancy framework in both urban and rural areas.

Strengthening Local Governance and Labor Laws

Another significant piece of legislation is the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (L. A. Bill No. 5 of 2025). This bill proposes amendments to reinforce the Panchayati Raj framework, originally established under the 1989 Act, thereby empowering local self-governance with greater autonomy and resources, while concurrently, the Jammu and Kashmir Shops and Establishments (Licensing, Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2025 (L. A. Bill No. 6 of 2025) aims to streamline labor laws and working conditions within commercial. Establishments, seeking to simplify compliance for businesses while ensuring the protection of workers' rights.

Revitalizing the Cooperative Sector

Finally, the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (L. A. Bill No. 7 of 2025) seeks to introduce amendments designed to enhance the functioning of cooperative societies across the Union Territory. The objective is to revitalize the cooperative movement, foster greater autonomy, and enable these societies to play a more effective role in economic development. Collectively, these bills represent a comprehensive effort to bring about socio-economic transformation in Jammu and Kashmir.

SEC Age Limit Bill Introduced Amidst Debate

Earlier on Wednesday, Javid Ahmad Dar, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, introduced a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. This amendment proposes to increase the maximum age limit for the State Election Commissioner (SEC) from 65 years to 70 years. According to the draft bill, the SEC will hold office for a term of five years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. This move aims to ensure that experienced individuals can continue. To serve in this critical role for a longer duration.

Heated Exchange Over Communal Allegations

Wednesday's assembly session was also marked by a significant uproar when BJP MLA Shagun Parihar alleged that the government was neglecting certain areas of Kishtwar because ‘nationalist Hindus’ resided there. This remark drew strong objections from the treasury benches. Minister Javid Dar condemned the comments as communal and called for their removal from the proceedings. National Conference MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi also weighed in, stating that thousands of Muslims had sacrificed for the nation and shouldn't be insulted. Amidst the commotion, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary intervened, clarifying that Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians in Jammu and Kashmir are as nationalist as Hindus, which helped to de-escalate the tension, while these legislative endeavors and political dynamics underscore a critical period for decision-making within the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, shaping the future trajectory of the Union Territory.