Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today inaugurated a three-day Orientation Programme for the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir. The programme, held in the Central Hall Jammu, is being jointly organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Lok Sabha Secretariat, and the J&K Legislative Assembly from January 9 to 11, 2025. In his inaugural address, the Chief Minister appreciated the Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly for meticulously planning the programme.
Reflecting on the contributions of eminent parliamentarians like Jawaharlal Nehru, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Somnath Chatterjee, Indrajit Gupta, Chandra Shekhar and Pranab Mukherjee, he remarked on their incisive analysis, deep understanding, and dignified conduct in Parliament.
He urged the MLAs to emulate these distinguished leaders and contribute meaningfully to the Assembly’s deliberations. Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly, Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, in his welcome address, emphasized the importance of the Orientation Programme for familiarizing MLAs with rules of procedure and conduct of business.
Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, Manoj Kumar Pandit in the beginning of the programme thanked the Speaker on prioritizing capacity building of legislators. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri Harivansh, encouraged the MLAs to work diligently and understand legislative norms to ensure smooth functioning of the House.
He highlighted the significance of such programmes in equipping legislators with knowledge about budget formulation and centrally sponsored schemes that benefit marginalized communities. In the technical session, P.K. Mallick, Director of PRIDE, presented the objectives of the institute and its role in building the capacity of legislators while strengthening democratic values.
Chairperson of the Committee on Estimates, Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, delivered a lecture on the committee system in Indian legislatures, sharing insights and suggestions for forming and managing committees effectively.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary also addressed the gathering, further enriching the session with his perspectives. The three-day programme aims to equip MLAs with the necessary skills and knowledge to enhance their contributions to legislative processes and governance.