JAMMU: A three-day Orientation Programme for elected members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly commenced today in Jammu, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurating the event.
The programme, organised by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE) in collaboration with the Lok Sabha Secretariat and the JK Legislative Assembly, runs from January 9 to 11, 2025.
In his inaugural address, Abdullah reflected on the contributions of eminent parliamentarians, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Somnath Chatterjee, Indrajit Gupta, Chandra Shekhar, and Pranab Mukherjee. He praised their insightful analysis, deep understanding, and dignified conduct in Parliament and urged the MLAs to follow their example, making meaningful contributions to the legislative process.
JK Legislative Assembly Speaker, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, highlighted the importance of the programme in helping MLAs understand the rules of procedure and the conduct of business within the Assembly. He stressed that such training is vital for the efficient functioning of the legislative body.
The programme also featured addresses from key officials, including the Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandit, who thanked the Speaker for prioritising capacity building for legislators.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman, Shri Harivansh, emphasised the need for MLAs to understand legislative norms to ensure smooth House proceedings. He also discussed the importance of such initiatives in helping legislators comprehend budget formulation and centrally sponsored schemes that benefit marginalised communities.
The Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Kumar Choudhary, also addressed the session, offering additional perspectives on the importance of such capacity-building programmes.
The Orientation Programme aims to equip MLAs with the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their contributions to legislative processes and governance in the state.
