The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet has officially recommended convening the Assembly for its Autumn Session starting October 13, 2023. Chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the cabinet meeting held on Wednesday included all ministers and focused on urgent governance issues.
Sources indicated that the Autumn Session will likely last for seven days, running from October 13 to 20. This follows the stipulation in the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which mandates that no more than six months can elapse between sessions of the Legislative Assembly.
According to the Act, ‘the Lieutenant Governor shall, from time to time, summon the Legislative Assembly to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session.’ With the last session held on April 29, the Assembly needed to reconvene by October 28 at the latest.
Key issues expected to dominate discussions during this upcoming session include statehood and reservation policies. In previous sessions, the question of statehood gained significant attention, with three resolutions lapsing due to unrest caused by the National Conference members protesting against the rejection of an adjournment motion regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Moreover, the topic of reservation in local governance has been a persistent matter of debate, as observed during discussions led by People’s Conference President and MLA from Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone. He has consistently voiced strong criticism regarding the government’s handling of reservation issues.
This imminent session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly presents an important opportunity for the legislative body to address long-standing concerns and potentially make significant decisions affecting the region’s governance and political landscape.
