Liquor Ban, Tobacco Prohibition Among 72 Private Bills Moved by MLAs in J&K Assembly

Jammu: Several legislators, including members of the ruling National Conference (NC), have submitted private members’ bills in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking a ban on liquor and tobacco products, while another ruling party MLA has proposed prohibiting private practice by government doctors.

A total of 72 private members’ bills, as per news agency KNC, have been listed in the Assembly, including several that were pending from the previous session. Among them are proposals related to prohibition of alcohol, tobacco restrictions, regularisation of daily wagers, management of shrines and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants.

NC MLA and former minister Ali Mohammad Sagar has proposed a bill seeking a complete ban on the sale and consumption of liquor across Jammu and Kashmir. Another NC legislator Ahsan Pardesi has moved a bill calling for prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the Lal Chowk constituency, which he represents.

MLA Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad has also introduced a bill seeking a complete ban on the sale, consumption, storage and transportation of liquor in the Kashmir Valley. He has additionally proposed legislation to prohibit the manufacture, sale, advertisement and use of cigarettes and tobacco products in Jammu and Kashmir.

PDP MLA and former MP Mir Mohammad Fayaz has submitted a bill seeking to prohibit the advertisement, sale, manufacture and consumption of alcoholic drinks in the Union Territory.

Meanwhile, ruling party MLA Abdul Majeed Bhat (Larmi) has proposed legislation aimed at banning private practice by government doctors, stating that the move would strengthen the public health system and ensure full-time availability of doctors in government institutions.

Several legislators have also introduced bills seeking regularisation of daily wagers and temporary workers. CPM MLA M Y Tarigami, PDP MLA Wahid ur Rehman Para, and BJP MLA Devinder Kumar Manyal have all proposed legislation to grant permanent status and job security to daily wagers and casual labourers working in different government departments.

Pampore MLA Hasnain Masoodi has also introduced a private member’s bill concerning red category industries. He said certain industries are classified under the red category due to their highly hazardous and polluting nature, which can adversely affect sectors like horticulture and agriculture. Masoodi said that because these industries impact local livelihoods and the environment, he has proposed legislation seeking reservation of employment for local residents in such red category industries operating in the region.

Other proposals include a bill by PDP MLA Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi for establishing a Reintegration Commission to facilitate the safe and dignified return of Kashmiri migrants, particularly Kashmiri Pandits.

The Assembly has reserved two days for discussion on private members’ bills when the Budget Session resumes on March 27 after a month-long break.