Maintain sanctity of J-K legislature: Mufti to new members

Describing the state legislature as a place of great sanctity and honour, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today called upon the first-time legislators to maintain its pride and play the principal role of lawmakers so that the society functions in a better way.
The chief minister was speaking after inaugurating a workshop organized by J&K Institute of Management, Public Administration and Rural Development (IMPARD) to sensitize the debutant legislators about the "Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in J&K Legislature" at EDI Complex here today.
This is the first workshop of its kind that has been organized in the state for the first-time entrants to the assembly and council on specific instructions of the chief minister.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Syed Basharat Bukhari and other members of the Council of Ministry were in attendance at the event.
Welcoming the new members to the day-long workshop, Mufti described the J&K Legislature as one of the most powerful Houses of the country and asked them to ensure its honour is safeguarded.
"I want the new legislators to highlight issues on general policies of the Government and problems confronting their respective constituencies," he said.
He appealed to the newly-elected legislators to initiate quality debates and the Opposition to keep the Government on its toes by highlighting its weaknesses.

"I hope those sitting on the opposition benches will play a constructive role in pointing out the shortcomings of the Government. I assure that their views and observations will be taken seriously. We are here to do business in the Houses so that people who are the real stakeholders on the ground benefit from the policies and laws that we frame," the Chief Minister said.