Jammu and Kashmir’s Legislative Assembly is set to witness significant discussions as legislators have submitted 33 private members’ bills during the ongoing budget session. These bills address a wide array of issues, ranging from the appointment of the first-ever Lokayukta to the implementation of the Anti-Defection Law in District Development Councils (DDCs), prohibition on liquor, regularization of daily wagers, amendments in reservations, ownership rights of Evacuee Property, block-level recruitment, and the establishment of the J&K Legislative Forum for Monitoring and Protection of Human Rights.
April 8 has been reserved as the sole day for private members’ bills in the Assembly. However, how many of these bills will be listed and taken up for consideration will only be known on the day of business.
Appointment of Lokayukta
CPM MLA M.Y. Tarigami has introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Lokayukta Bill, listed as Bill No. 3 of 2025. The five-time legislator has emphasized the necessity of bringing the entire political leadership under the purview of Lokayukta to enhance accountability and transparency.
“Corruption still exists. To ensure a cleaner political and administrative structure, we need Lokayukta,” Tarigami stated. He also pointed out that the previously established State Accountability Commission (SAC) was never revived, despite many states having an active Lokayukta institution.
Call for Prohibition on Liquor
Four legislators have submitted separate bills seeking a ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir. NC veteran Ali Mohammad Sagar, Ahsan Pardesi (NC), Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad (Awami Ittehad Party), and Mir Mohammad Fayaz (PDP) have all called for the implementation of prohibition laws. Sheikh Khursheed, in addition to the liquor ban, has also sought a ban on online gaming and fantasy leagues.
Regularization of Daily Wagers and Contractual Workers
PDP’s Waheed ur Rehman Para and NC’s former Law Minister Saifullah Mir have tabled bills advocating the regularization of daily wagers and contractual workers. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had earlier assured the Assembly that a high-level committee would devise a roadmap to address this issue, with solutions expected in the next budget presentation.
Protection of Religious Properties and Evacuee Property Rights
BJP MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia has introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Temples and Land Protection Bill, which aims to restore encroached lands belonging to religious places. This issue has been raised frequently, especially in Kashmir, where land belonging to religious institutions has been illegally occupied.
Another BJP legislator has tabled the Jammu and Kashmir Evacuee Property Bill, advocating property rights for the original owners. His third bill seeks to introduce skill training programs for youth in line with the National Education Policy (NEP).
Implementation of Anti-Defection Law in DDCs
BJP MLA R.S. Pathania has put forth a crucial bill seeking the implementation of the Anti-Defection Law in District Development Councils (DDCs). While this law applies to Parliament, Assemblies, and Municipalities, it is currently not enforced in DDCs. Pathania stressed that implementing this law is essential to prevent political horse-trading at the district level.
Human Rights Monitoring and Block-Level Recruitment
Congress MLA Nizam ud Din Bhat has proposed the formation of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Forum for Monitoring and Protection of Human Rights. He has also introduced another bill advocating block-level recruitment to streamline employment opportunities in rural areas.
Reservation and Social Security Reforms
NC MLA Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri has submitted the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, highlighting the increasing significance of reservation policies in the region. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah recently assured that a Cabinet Sub-Committee will review the reservation framework and submit a report within six months.
NC MLA Mubarak Gul has introduced two bills: one seeking social security for unemployed technocrats and professional degree holders, and another concerning salaries, allowances, and other benefits for the Chief Whip in the Assembly.
Additional Key Bills
BJP MLA Pawan Gupta has tabled two bills—one related to compassionate appointments in government services and the other seeking amendments in excise regulations.
NC MLA Aijaz Jan has submitted a bill proposing amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Men and Public Servants Declaration of Assets and Other Provisions Act.
NC MLA Tanvir Sadiq has presented the Jammu and Kashmir War Against Drug Abuse and Compulsory Teaching of Ill Effects of Drug Addiction in Schools Bill. This bill aims to include mandatory lessons in school curricula to educate students about the dangers of drug addiction.
With a plethora of significant issues being brought to the floor, it remains to be seen how many of these private members’ bills will be debated and passed in the Assembly on April 8. The upcoming session is expected to be a crucial one, shaping various legislative reforms in Jammu and Kashmir.
