J&K Assembly Zero Hour: Legislators Demand Action on Regularization, Healthcare, and Infrastructure
JAMMU, MARCH 30: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed a high-intensity Zero Hour today as lawmakers across party lines raised critical issues regarding governance, public service delivery, and urgent administrative reforms.
A primary focus of the session was the plight of daily wagers and ad-hoc employees, with MLAs Balwant Singh Mankotia and Satish Sharma pressing the government to establish a comprehensive regularization policy, particularly for those who have exceeded 40 years of age without job security.
This call for labor reform was echoed by MLA Iftikhar Ahmed, who sought pay parity for Health Department ministerial staff, and MLA Sunil Bhardwaj, who demanded the regularization of National Health Mission (NHM) workers.
Infrastructure and Essential Services:-Public utility concerns dominated the proceedings, with several legislators highlighting the burgeoning electricity crisis. MLAs Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, and Qaysar Jamshaid Lone called for amnesty schemes and exemptions for consumers with long-pending power dues, while MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz expressed concern over recent disconnections.
Infrastructure gaps were also a major talking point; MLAs Nizam-ud-Din Bhat and Saif-ud-Din Bhat flagged stalled bridge projects in Sumbal-Bandipora and Yashkoot, while MLA Prof. Gharu Ram Bhagat urged the immediate upgrade of the Jammu-R.S. Pura highway. Furthermore, a shortage of commercial LPG in Katra was reported by MLA Baldev Raj Sharma, who noted that the scarcity is forcing local eateries to shut down.
Healthcare and Education Crisis:-The Assembly highlighted a significant deficit in rural healthcare and education. From MLA Sajad Shaheen’s demand for consultants at SDH Banihal to MLA Irfan Rasool Kar’s plea for a functional X-ray machine in Sopore, the need for medical equipment and personnel was clear.
MLA Abdul Majid Bhat (Larmi) brought a somber note to the session by demanding government intervention into rising maternal mortality rates.
On the educational front, MLA Hasnain Masoodi raised alarms over controversial syllabus changes at the University of Jammu, while MLAs Nazir Ahmad Khan and Pawan Kumar Gupta called for urgent recruitment to fill vacant teaching positions in their respective constituencies.
Social Welfare and Security ConcernsLegislators also advocated for social justice and administrative transparency.
MLA Sajad Gani Lone demanded a uniform definition of poverty for EWS reservations, and MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami pushed for the immediate release of old-age and widow pensions before the financial year concludes.
Security and dignity were also addressed, as MLA Surjeet Singh Salathia sought an end to the alleged harassment of MLAs’ staff at the Civil Secretariat, and MLA Tanvir Sadiq called for the release of youth detained during recent protests. The session concluded with a collective urge from the legislators for the government to move beyond discussion and implement time-bound solutions for these pressing public grievances.