Srinagar, Sep 11: The spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Secretariat (JKLAS) on Sunday reacted sharply to the recent statement of the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Langate Er Rasheed.

 Er Rasheed had expressed deep anguish and concern over the media reports that the resolution submitted by him to seek clemency for Parliament attack convict, Afzal Guru, would be selected for debate and discussion through ballot system for the current assembly session.  

 The spokesperson of the Assembly Secretariat in a statement here said that members of the House have a right to give notice of two resolutions of their choice for the ensuing session of the Assembly and the Speaker has to see the admissibility of such resolutions under rules and after completion of the said process only seven resolutions are to be balloted for taking up in the House which takes place in presence of the interested members adding that every member is well versed with this rule position.

 As such, the question of pick and choose does not arise at all. He pointed out that since the said process has not taken place as yet it will be too premature to go by assumptions and presumptions. 

 He said that this Secretariat cannot exercise any discretion in this process rather it is bound to go strictly by the rules of the House. However, if any member feels that he or she has any issue before him or her of much importance, should take recourse of other parliamentary tools provided in the rules if that issue given in the shape of Resolution does not come out of balloting.

 This Secretariat has received 39 resolutions out of which the Speaker has admitted 35 including that of Er. Abdul Rasheed and 4 resolutions have been disallowed. Twenty two members have given their resolutions and therefore only 22 resolutions will go for balloting under rules out of which only 7 will be taken up in the ensuing session on the day earmarked for resolutions after adopting the laid down procedure.

 He said that all the Members have equal right of giving notices of resolutions in their capacity as public representatives which carry equal importance for this Secretariat and it has no discretion of fixing priorities of resolutions for discussion on the floor of the House of its own. 

 He said that attributing certain things to the institution of the Speaker being apolitical one is totally unnecessary, uncalled for and unwarranted.

 Propriety demands that the members of the House should not express their views publicly in contravention to the rules of the House. 

 This Secretariat therefore contests the statement given by Member Er Abdul Rasheed which has appeared in a section of Press on September 11, 2011 regarding the resolution given by him.(GKNN)

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST