Avinash Azad
In a dramatic turn of events during the ongoing Autumn Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly here today, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah withdrew three proposed Bills seeking enhancement of salaries and allowances for the Chief Minister, Ministers, and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
The move came immediately after BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma voiced strong opposition to the legislation, arguing that raising legislators’ pay was inappropriate while pressing issues like unemployment and the plight of daily-wage workers remained unaddressed.
The Autumn Session, witnessed intense debate over the three Bills—aimed at amending the Jammu and Kashmir Ministers and Ministers of State Salaries Act, 1956, and the Salaries and Allowances of Members of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Act, 1960. The House Committee comprising members from both the Treasury and Opposition benches had earlier recommended raising the monthly salary of an MLA from ₹1.8 lakh to ₹3 lakh, along with enhancements to allowances, telephone expenses, and housing loan facilities.
However, as Finance Minister Omar Abdullah moved the first of the three Bills on Tuesday, BJP legislator Sham Lal Sharma rose to object. Sharma contended that the government should prioritise relief for contractual employees and daily wagers instead of approving pay hikes for elected representatives.
Responding to the objection, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he was “never in favour” of increasing salaries and emphasised that such legislation would not pass without unanimous consent.
“If even a single member opposes it, it will not go through. I am withdrawing the Bill,” Abdullah told the House, adding that he did not want the issue to be politicised, especially since BJP legislators would also benefit from the proposed increase.
Following the Chief Minister’s statement, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather put the matter to a voice vote. The motion to withdraw the Bills was carried by a majority, though BJP members reportedly abstained from voting in favour of the withdrawal and were subsequently criticised by National Conference members.
The salary-bill episode unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tension in the Assembly over the Chief Minister’s resolution seeking “immediate and urgent restoration of full statehood” to Jammu and Kashmir, tabled last Friday.
BJP MLAs have been protesting the resolution, alleging that the NC-Congress government is attempting to revive pre-1953 constitutional arrangements and greater autonomy. The party has even demanded the dismissal of the Abdullah government over the move. On Monday, the Assembly witnessed disruptions and a brief walkout by BJP leaders in connection with the statehood debate, setting a confrontational tone for Tuesday’s proceedings.
With the salary-enhancement Bills now withdrawn, the focus in the Assembly is likely to shift back to other legislative business, including private members’ Bills and pending government measures. However, the political standoff over the statehood resolution remains unresolved, and further disruptions cannot be ruled out as the Autumn Session continues.
