J&K Speaker admits Waheed Para’s Private Member Bills on 2 key issues — one emotional, another ecological

“In terms of the Rule 179 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, I am to intimate that the Hon’ble Speaker has been pleased to admit your Resolutions,” reads a communication of the assembly secretariat.

In his Private Member Bill, Para seeks restoration of the holiday on July 13 – a day that, until the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019 – was commemorated as ‘Kashmir Martyrs’ Day’ or ‘Youm-e-Shuhada-e-Kashmir’ in remembrance of the 22 Kashmiri Muslims killed by Dogra forces on that day in 1931 while protesting against the then Dogra monarchy in Srinagar.

After the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, the Centre-appointed Lt Governor Administration removed July 13 from the list of holidays. Instead, the Union territory’s administration declared a holiday on September 23 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh, whose army opened fire at the civilian protestors in 1931.

The ruling National Conference and the Opposition PDP are on the same page over the martyrs’ day holiday.

The second Bill seeks to ban the use of heavy machines like excavators in mining of rivers and streams thus effectively preventing the deep mining of the river beds. Apart from concerns about their effects on ecosystems, there are also allegations that it has led to a corroding of river beds in the Valley, affecting irrigation of agricultural land.

For the Bills to become laws, they must be passed by the Assembly. A private member’s Bill is a Bill introduced in the Assembly by a legislator not acting on behalf of the government. Such Bills can be introduced by legislators of either the ruling party or the Opposition.

Typically, the chances of the Assembly passing a Private Member’s Bill are slim.