Nazir Ahmad Makhdoomi
Jammu & Kashmir emerged as a state with unique status on account of partition of India- Pakistan in 1947 with the Kashmir issue still being the oldest unsolved conflict of globe. On account of special status, the J &K State enjoys a unique position and its constituent Legislative Assembly plays a vital part in this regard.
As a matter of fact the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir enjoys a rich history, The Legislative Assembly was initially composed of 100 members, later increased to 111 by the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir (Twentieth Amendment) Act of 1988. Of these, 24 seats are designated for the territorial constituencies of the state that lies in Pakistan-administered Kashmir These seats remain officially vacant as per section 48 of the state constitution These seats are not taken into account for reckoning the total membership of the Assembly, especially for deciding quorum and voting majorities for legislation and government formation. Hence, the total contestable and filled seats of the assembly are presently 87.The two women may be nominated as members by the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir if he or she is of the opinion that women are not adequately represented.
To maintain its crucial identity, the J&K Assembly representatives have a vital role to play and unarguably the Legislative Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir is among the most important institutions of the state. But behind the efficiency of this vital institution lie the untiring effort, zeal and caliber of employees serving in this prestigious institution.
History bears testimony to the fact that the state Legislature has seen a great number of dynamic secretaries and Speakers looking after its affairs and as a matter of fact since 1951 the department has seen 13 prolific secretaries who have proved their mettle via their great talent and performance.
The current Assembly Secretary Mohammad Ramzan has carried the great tradition ahead and via his excellent talent further elevated the sheen of this respected institution.
All this needs to be stated on account of false and baseless campaign launched by some sections aided by a local newspaper against the current Secretary. The newspaper had misguided its readers by raising the unnecessary issue of qualification with reference to the appointment of the current secretary.
While as the matter of fact is that it is always the “Seniority” and the acumen to handle the crucial and sensitive affairs of this institution that matter in appointment of the “Secretary Legislative Assembly” and current secretary meets all these parameters.
We cannot brush aside the fact that Legislative Assembly is different from the other institutions as its affairs involve diverse and crucial facets like – Accurate translation and description of the affairs of Assembly sessions, preparation of questionnaires ,recording and description of proceedings and committee meetings and also working on ‘Action Taking Reports’.
Considering all these minute details and the macroscopic picture the realities clear point out that a personality who possesses capabilities to run smoothly the departmental and other crucial affairs of the prestigious institution like the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly has to be appointed as the Secretary and the current Secretary like his predecessors has all the positive qualities, aptitude, talent and dynamism to hold this chair of great esteem. It is also a known fact that the appointment of the Legislative Assembly Secretary comes under the powers of the Speaker Legislative Assembly and this has been exactly done so no questions or eyebrows can be raised.
Considering its paramount importance in Legislative Assembly the maintenance of decorum is very vital and the current Secretary has taken number of steps to maintain the decorum and raise the overall proficiency of the employees working in this prestigious department.
One hopes vested interests and especially the Newspaper in question focus their shift on real issues and stops resorting to cheap means of publicity which often leads them to character assassination of the esteemed and dignified personalities of our society. It is also not a new development as historically vested interests have always levied baseless allegations against the secretaries of the Legislative Assembly from time to time.
One hopes vested interests and especially the Newspaper in question focus their shift on real issues and stops resorting to cheap means of publicity which often leads them to character assassination of the esteemed and dignified personalities of our society.