First-time JK legislators get training on House procedure

Ahead of the commencement of the first session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday, 42 first-time legislators today got lessons on legislative procedures and business from Chief Minister Mufti Mohmmad Sayeed and former Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather.
The 23-day session, the first after the PDP-BJP alliance took charge, is expected to be a stormy one in view of several contentious issues, including withdrawal of AF SPA, return of Afoul Guru's mortal remain and the Article 370, to be raised by opposition parties.
"It is for the first time in the Legislative history in the state that we organised a workshop (for first-time legislators)," Sayeed told reporters here today.

"They are to be trained in legislative business and procedures. Opposition is meant to oppose and raise the issues and we are there to give replies," he said.
"For teaching them the procedure of business in Assembly, we have called experts. All the new members, be it MLCs or MLAs, all should know about the procedures (of conduct of business of the house), so that they get benefited more more on it," he said.
On the training session, former minister and senior NC leader Abdul Rahim Rather said, "This is a good step... We have tried to teach them the procedures and the conduct of the business of the legislature."

Newly-elected MLA from Gandhinagar Kavinder Gupta, who will take over as the Speaker of the J&K Assembly, said, "This is a good initiative to teach the newly-elected members the legislative procedures."
"As a speaker, I will try to ensure that this session be the best session and things work very smoothly," Gupta said.
Newly-elected legislators cutting across party line hailed the training session conducted by IMPA.