Asks Legislators to make Govt accountable
Srinagar, Nov 4: Senior NC leader Abdul Rahim Rather Monday took over as the Speaker of Legislative Assembly and urged legislators to make Jammu and Kashmir government accountable.
The House met after a gap of more than six years, with the last session held in early 2018, a year before the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories.
On Monday morning at 10:30, Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Cooperatives, Javid Ahmed Dar, nominated Rather, with Arjun Singh Raju seconding the motion. The House confirmed Rather’s appointment unanimously.
Then leaders of the House welcomed Rather for taking over as Speaker of the House.
Thanking members for electing him as Speaker, Rather encouraged legislators to raise development issues concerning their constituencies while cautioning them against wasting the Assembly’s time.
“As custodians of this House, we must hold the administration accountable,” he said. “However, let us avoid unnecessary disruptions and create a healthy environment for discussion.”
Rather pledged to maintain a non-partisan approach, assuring that his 50-year affiliation with the National Conference would not influence his duties in the Assembly. “I have served the NC for decades, but here, I am the Speaker for all members, representing no single party,” he stated. He assured legislators that favoritism would have no place in his leadership.
Reaffirming his commitment to fair governance, Rather urged members to participate meaningfully. “I am here as a custodian of the House, not an enforcer of ideology. Let’s use this platform to genuinely address the issues facing our people,” he said.
Rather stated that some members seem more inclined toward disruption than toward advocating for the people’s interests. In his role as Speaker, he encouraged all to focus on raising genuine issues and contributing to constructive dialogue.
The Speaker also welcomed 51 new assembly members attending the House for the first time and announced plans for updates to the Assembly’s procedural rules to better align with contemporary needs. Rather has held ministerial portfolios several times in the past. He also served as longest period finance minister of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state.
