J&K new Assembly project to be completed by mid-2027: Speaker

Jammu, Jan 27: J&L Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, on Tuesday asserted that the new Legislative Assembly complex project, revived by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government after coming to power in 2024, would be completed by mid-2027.

He said that it would address many issues, viz., paucity of space, faulty sound systems, etc., frequently encountered by all, including media persons.

Speaker also announced that the much anticipated National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) too would be partially introduced from the ensuing J&K budget session to encourage paperless functioning. “NeVA will be fully implemented in the next assembly session,” he assured while interacting with the media personnel of different news organisations at the Assembly Secretariat Jammu to facilitate smooth and efficient coverage of the forthcoming assembly session starting from February 2, 2026.

With regard to problems related to inadequate space and defective sound system, Rather stated, “These problems would have been addressed, had our under-construction new legislature complex in Jammu been completed. Its construction started when I used to be the Finance Minister (of J&K). I had procured funds especially for its construction from (New) Delhi (Centre) stating that Jammu did not have a proper assembly hall.”

He pointed out that the work on the project was re-started. “Unfortunately in 2018 that (new legislature complex in Jammu) project was abandoned though the structure was in place. You would be amazed to note that Rs 72 Cr were expended on creating the structure and still it (project) was abandoned probably thinking that there was no assembly. I presume someone would have decided that there was no assembly so why was it (new complex) required. But when we (NC government) came to power, last year I called the concerned engineers of (erstwhile) JKPCC to find out the reasons for abandoning the project,” Rather shared, adding that finally, he instructed them to immediately start the work on the project.

He informed that in the absence of JKPCC, the job was entrusted to PWD with a fixed timeline. “To revive the project and seek administrative approval, we had to route the proposal again to the cabinet. Now the tendering has been completed. Recently, in this connection, I called a meeting attended by the Chief Secretary and all other concerned persons and asked them to initiate work on the project at the earliest. So the pending work on the new Legislative Assembly Complex will be started soon. Works have already been allotted. We have drawn a commitment from them to complete the project within 18 months or before that,” the Speaker assured, maintaining that it would be equipped with all the facilities for the media personnel.

In the same breath, he also shared details about the implementation of NeVA project in J&K for which two committees, one headed by the Assembly Secretary and other – apex committee under his (Speaker’s) chairmanship were also constituted.

“During a recent meeting, we took some big decisions on this account vis-à-vis paperless functioning. Partially, we will begin work from the upcoming session but hopefully it will be fully in place from the next session (following the budget session). This will facilitate all,” he said.

During interaction, Rather cautioned the media persons that the coverage of the legislature session was a crucial yet a very sensitive job which warrants responsibility as even a little slip up or inaccuracy in dissemination of information would invoke the parliamentary privileges. “Therefore, you need to be very cautious in reporting as even a minor slipup will invite trouble for the media persons,” he elaborated.

In the same breath, he requested the media persons to ensure quality reporting while covering the session, focussing more on content, well-meaning debates and less on playing up uproar or the acts of indiscipline by the legislators like damaging of mike or entering the well.

“Quality reporting vis-à-vis House debates will encourage the legislators who are sincere in approach, work hard to raise public issues and serve people’s ends as their true representatives and will discourage those creating disruptions. It will also raise the standard of debates. Frequent disruptions in the legislature sessions was a major concern during the Presiding Officers’ conference, which I recently attended in Lucknow. MLAs are wrong in their perception that the people like disruptions,” Rather shared.

Recognising the significance of media in highlighting public issues, the Speaker sought cooperation from media houses for balanced and responsible reporting of the session. He emphasised the critical role of journalists in ensuring transparency and public awareness of legislative discussions and advised them to keep public interests paramount while discharging their professional assignments.

The Speaker stated that the MLAs violating the rules of procedure of the House should not be given publicity.

Elucidating this point, he said, “For example, the resolutions, bills, or questions that have not yet been tabled in the House cannot be circulated in media or in the public domain by the MLAs. This tendency has risen in the recent past, I took strong notice of that. I also served notices to those members warning against such practice. I warned that such acts would invite action against such members as well as those publishing it. So, I caution the media persons not to highlight such content to avoid trouble.”

Speaker also cautioned against reporting of expunged remarks. “That (expunging of remarks) is a ruling by the Presiding Officer. So once the ruling is given by the chair, the issue or remarks should not be reported,” he said. He also highlighted the need for mutual cooperation between the Chair and the media to facilitate seamless coverage while maintaining the dignity, decorum, and traditions of the House.

The Speaker said that the media acts as a vital bridge between the people and the legislature, ensuring the citizens remain aware of policies, discussions, and decisions that shape governance across Jammu and Kashmir.

While reviewing the arrangements for media persons, the Speaker emphasised the importance of taking necessary measures to prevent inconvenience to journalists covering the proceedings. He instructed the Assembly Secretariat officers to prepare and issue entry passes for journalists in coordination with the Information Department well in advance for their unhindered entry into the assembly complex.

To enhance media accessibility, the Speaker directed the Information department to install a sufficient number of microphones and Public Address Systems (PAS) within the Assembly Hall, facilitating smooth interaction between the dignitaries, Ministers, legislative assembly members and the journalists.

The Speaker also issued directions to the Hospitality and Protocol department; the SSP Security, Civil Secretariat, and the IT department to ensure that the media persons, legislators, and employees may not face any inconvenience during the session.

During the interaction, the Speaker also invited constructive suggestions from the journalists for improving media engagement and coverage of legislative business.

In response to concerns raised by the media fraternity, the Speaker assured them that the highlighted issues would be addressed promptly. He said the Assembly Secretariat remains committed to ensure a conducive environment for media persons to discharge their professional duties.

The meeting was attended by Director Information, Nitish Rajora; Secretary, JKLA, Manoj Kumar Pandita, SSP Civil Secretariat Security Sajjad Bhat, SSP Traffic Amit Bhasin along with veteran journalists, Bureau Chiefs, senior journalists and correspondents besides representatives of All India Radio, Doordarshan and other concerned officers.