Srinagar, Feb 23: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that the primary role of the Speaker of Assembly is to safeguard the rights of members not to act as a “censor”.
Mehbooba, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, was reacting to the displeasure expressed by the Speaker of the House Abdul Rahim Rather against some MLAs giving publicity to notices submitted by them in the Legislative Assembly regarding business to be taken up during the upcoming budget session.
“While Rathar Sahab may be concerned with preserving the sanctity of legislative proceedings, as Speaker, his primary role is to safeguard the rights of members, not to act as a censor”, Mehbooba posted on X on Sunday.
“Transparency and public awareness of legislative activities should not be seen as an infringement on parliamentary practices”, she said and added “On the contrary, informing the public about notices, questions, and resolutions in advance promotes accountability”.
The PDP president said many significant parliamentary bills, such as the recent Waqf Bill, are debated publicly for months.
“Regrettably, it appears that Rathar Sahab, a seasoned politician, is imposing a form of martial law while occupying a constitutional position”, She said.
A communiqué issued yesterday had said that the speaker Rather has observed that “according to Parliamentary Practice, usage and established convention and prevalent Rules of this house , it is improper to give unwarranted publicity to the Notices of Questions, Bills, Resolutions and other similar matters connected with Business of the House”.
The Speaker has expressed displeasure against the members responsible for such publicity which tantamount to breach of privilege as per the prescribed rules and directed the members to desist from the practice in future.
