Beef ban row claims most of J&K Assembly's autumn session

Srinagar: Bulk of the proceedings of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly's eight-day autumn session were washed away due to the unruly scenes and uproar surrounding the beef ban in the state.

The Assembly witnessed one of its lows in its 64-year history as three BJP MLAs thrashed independent MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rashid inside the House for hosting a beef party.

The PDP and the BJP, partners in the coalition government, did not take a public stand on the issue of beef ban and Congress also maintained a silence over it.

But, main opposition National Conference and two other opposition MLAs submitted three Private Members' bills seeking amendment to the Ranbir Penal Code that would decriminalise cow slaughter in the state.

The House did not function normally for the first five days as the opposition members stalled the proceedings by moving a number of adjournment motions on various issues including the beef ban controversy.

Walkouts and pandemonium -- opposition members rushing to the well of the house at the slightest of provocation -- became a familiar scene during the first five days.

A bulk of the work was done in the last two days after the Bills on beef ban lapsed on Thursday due to paucity of time, proceedings returned to normal for the last two days of the session when bulk of the work of accomplished.

Giving details about the business conducted in the House, Speaker Kavinder Gupta said the Assembly Secretariat received 570 questions; out of which 524 were listed.

"As many as 47 questions were taken up during the session," he said adding 99 supplementary questions were raised on the floor of the House.

As many as 148 issues were raised during Zero Hour, two Government Bills were introduced and passed, he said.

Gupta said one Private Members' Bill was taken up out of 14 received by the Assembly secretariat. "Besides, 130 Calling Attention Notices were received, out of which 44 were listed and two were disallowed".

The Speaker said five papers were laid on the table of the House.

He said 52 Resolutions were received, out of which 47 were admitted and five disallowed.

"Seven resolutions were balloted for being taken up in the House, two resolutions were taken up, one adopted by the House and one resolution listed for further discussion," he added.