SRINAGAR: Speaker of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather, on Monday urged the Chairpersons of recently constituted Financial and other Committees to work with utmost dedication and in close coordination with the Assembly Secretariat to ensure efficient and result-oriented functioning.
Chairing a meeting of the Chairpersons of all nine House Committees, the Speaker highlighted the critical role these committees play under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the J&K Assembly. He emphasized the need for effective coordination and collaboration between the committees and government departments for efficient, expeditious, and transparent governance.
The Speaker underscored the importance of these panels in holding the executive accountable. “You must foster a culture of accountability and transparency in governance, providing a platform for citizens to voice their concerns for redress,” he told the Chairpersons, urging them to adopt a proactive approach.
He assured the Chairpersons that the Assembly Secretariat would provide all possible support and expressed hope that the offices of the Accountant General (AG), General Administration Department (GAD), and Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs would actively assist in implementing committee recommendations.
Reiterating the need to maintain the dignity and decorum of House Committees, the Speaker called for a collaborative spirit to strengthen democratic processes.
Present in the meeting were Chairpersons of various key committees, including Sham Lal Sharma (Public Accounts), Shamim Firdous (Estimates), Ali Mohammad Sagar (Public Undertakings), Surjeet Singh Slathia (Ethics), Nizam-ud-din Bhat (Privileges), Sajad Gani Lone (Government Assurances), Hasnain Masoodi (Subordinate Legislation), and Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah (Petitions), who also shared suggestions to enhance committee effectiveness.
Commissioner Secretary GAD M Raju, Secretary Legislative Assembly Manoj Pandita, Deputy Accountant General J&K, Special Secretary Law, and officers from the Assembly Secretariat were also present.
