Govt’s opposition to bills not without application of mind: CM Omar

Jammu, Mar 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said that the government did not oppose any private members’ bills without the application of mind.

“It would be unfair to us to say that we “oppose” without applying our mind. It may appear as if we pick up a slip marked ‘oppose’ and stand up to reject a bill, but that is not the case. All proposals are examined in detail before a view is taken,” the Chief Minister emphasised.

He made these remarks while opposing a private member’s bill tabled by Congress legislator Nizam-ud-Din Bhat in the Assembly seeking equitable opportunity of employment in the civil services.

He took exception to the remarks made by Congress MLA while defending his bill for consideration after it (Bill) was opposed by the government at the introduction level.

“His (Bhat’s) remarks give an impression as if the bills are not read and are opposed routinely without application of mind. It is unfair to us. Whenever a proposal reaches the government—whether through the Assembly or any other route—it is scrutinised in detail. We examine its feasibility and weigh its advantages and disadvantages. If the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, we do not oppose it,” the Chief Minister said.

Referring to Bhat’s arguments, CM Omar said his private member’s bill, after examination, appeared to have more disadvantages and potential problems than advantages.

Acknowledging the genuine concern of the MLA, the Chief Minister said confining recruitment or postings to the local level would create administrative difficulties, including additional cadres, shortage of suitable candidates at the block level and the need for relaxations, which could lead to arbitrariness.

“It would also make it difficult to meet reservation requirements and limit promotion avenues in smaller blocks, leading to disparities among employees recruited at the same time,” the Chief Minister said.

He asserted that while the issue raised by the member required attention, the bill was not an appropriate solution and urged its withdrawal, adding that the government would explore alternative measures to address the concern.

Following his (CM’s) persuasion, Bhat, though reluctantly, withdrew his bill.

While replying to a separate Private Member’s Bill moved by National Conference legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani, the Chief Minister stated that his government could not permit indiscriminate felling of walnut trees as it could severely impact the region’s economy and identity.

In fact, he suggested the MLA bring a fresh bill proposing replantation with high-density varieties.

“If you bring that it may receive the House’s approval in future,” CM Omar said.

Wani had introduced the Bill seeking amendment in the Jammu and Kashmir Preservation of Specified Trees, Act, 1969, to grant owners the free will to cut Walnut Trees standing on their land while ensuring environmental sustainability (L A Private Members’ Bill No. 13 of 2025).

CM Omar said the Union Territory was contributing nearly 3.5 lakh tonnes – over 90 per cent of the country’s total walnut production.

Opposing the bill, he said, “While land and trees may belong to individuals, restrictions on cutting them exist for valid reasons, including conservation and long-term economic interests.”

He said, “Similar to protections extended to chinar trees, several other species are safeguarded under existing frameworks.” Highlighting the economic stakes, he said walnuts formed a significant component of the region’s economy.

“If unrestricted permission is given, people may cut walnut trees, but may not replant them. Instead, there is a risk of land being diverted for construction, which would reduce walnut production to negligible levels,” he said.

The Chief Minister acknowledged concerns about corruption in the permission process, stating that such issues would arise wherever restrictions existed.

He suggested that bringing permissions for tree felling under the Public Services Guarantee Act with fixed timelines could help reduce delays and curb corruption.

However, he made it clear that any relaxation must be linked to safeguards and proposed that if old or non-productive trees are to be cut, it should be mandated through legislation that only high-density walnut plantations be raised on that land, with no alternative land use permitted.

“Until such safeguards are in place, we cannot allow indiscriminate cutting of trees or diversion of land. This would endanger a key identity and economic asset of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, urging the member to withdraw the Bill.

Satisfied with the response of the chief minister, the MLA later withdrew his bill.

In all nine Members introduced Private Member bills in the Legislative Assembly (LA) today, of which six bills were withdrawn by Legislators after assurances from the Government and two were rejected by voice voting.

Legislator, Qaisar Jamshaid Lone introduced a bill in the House which read, “A Bill to amend the Cooperative Societies Act, 1989 (LA Private Members Bill No. 1 of 2025).”

Legislator Mir Saifullah introduced a bill in House which reads, “A Bill to make it obligatory on the part of Private Educational institutions to provide reservation to Children of Below poverty Line and Antyodaya Anna Yojana Families in Agriculture Colleges, Para Medical Colleges, Law Colleges and Skill Development Institutions (LA Private Members Bill No. 6 of 2025)”.

MLA Mubarik Gul, introduced a bill which reads, “A Bill to provide for the Salaries, Allowances and other benefits of the Chief Whip of the majority party in the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (L.A. Private Members’ Bill No. 19 of 2025)”.

Legislator, Dr Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri introduced a Bill which reads, “A Bill to restore and safeguard River Jhelum and to protect from further degradation, ensuring its ecological sustainability through waste management measures and strict penalties for pollution (L.A. Private Members’ Bill No. 23 of 2025)”.

After discussion in the House, the Legislators withdrew these bills after assurances from the Government that the existing legal and regulatory framework was addressing these concerns.

PDP Legislator Waheed Ur Rehman Para moved a bill which reads, “A Bill to provide for establishment of a residential and technical University in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to offer higher learning in various streams. The University will be set up by utilizing the surplus funds of Kashmir Creative Educational Foundation, a Society (L.A. Private Members’ Bill No. 9 of 2025)”.

Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia moved a bill which reads, “A Bill to provide for the protection of temples and retrieval of illegally occupied land in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (LA Private Members’ Bill No. 16 of 2025)”.

After the discussion in the House, the Members pressed for their introduction, which was subsequently rejected through voice voting in the House.

MLA, Pawan Kumar Gupta, also introduced a bill which reads, “A Bill to provide compassionate appointments to the next of kin of deceased government employees, security personnel and civilians affected by militancy or enemy action (L.A. Private Members’ Bill No. 27 of 2025).”

His bill will be discussed on April 1 – the second day earmarked for Private Members’ Bills.