Artisan welfare bill among four key proposals withdrawn or rejected in Jammu Kashmir Assembly

October 28, 2025 by News Desk

Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Tuesday witnessed the withdrawal or rejection of four key private members’ bills, each addressing social welfare, artisan support, and education reforms across the Union Territory.

The first proposal, moved by MLA Altaf Ahmad Wani from Pahalgam, sought to enhance financial assistance for families affected by fire incidents. Wani urged the government to raise compensation to ₹5 lakh for fully damaged houses, ₹3 lakh for severely damaged ones, and ₹2 lakh for partially damaged structures, calling existing relief “grossly insufficient.”

“The Red Cross offers only two blankets, four utensils, and ₹2,000 in cash. The SDRF provides ₹1.36 lakh, which is not enough given current construction costs,” Wani told the House.

However, the Chief Minister termed the Bill “needless,” citing multiple relief sources already in place, including the SDRF, NDRF, Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, and the Red Cross. After receiving assurances that his proposal would be reviewed, Wani agreed to withdraw the Bill.

In another instance, senior MLA Mubarak Gul introduced a Bill to establish a social security and welfare framework for artisans, arguing that the community was struggling due to economic downturns and reduced tourism. “Our artisans are the backbone of Kashmiri culture. They need immediate and structured support,” Gul said.

Responding to him, the Deputy Chief Minister acknowledged the concerns but said the proposal would place a heavy financial burden on the Union Territory. “We already run several welfare schemes and pension programmes for artisans,” he said, assuring further review. Following this, Gul withdrew his Bill.

The House also debated a third Bill — introduced by MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia — seeking to make vocational and skilled education compulsory across Jammu and Kashmir. Mankotia stressed the need to align education with modern job market requirements and proposed introducing skill-based courses at the higher secondary level.

While the Deputy Chief Minister called it a “genuine initiative,” he said the government was already taking steps to modernize Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and expand vocational education. The National Conference members opposed the Bill, while BJP legislators supported it. The motion for introduction was ultimately rejected by a majority voice vote

Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly also rejected a Private Member’s Bill moved by PDP MLA Waheed Para that sought to grant ownership rights to residents living in houses built on State, Kacharai, Common, and Shamilat land.

The bill, titled “A Bill to Provide Special Provisions for the Residents of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir” (Private Members’ Bill No. 7 of 2025), aimed to recognise proprietary rights for people residing on such lands for decades, citing the right to shelter under Article 21 of the Constitution.

Introducing the bill, Para said it was rooted in human dignity and social justice. “This is not about rewarding encroachment but about protecting families who have known no other home,” he said, invoking Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s Land to the Tiller reforms.

When the Speaker called for a vote, only three members supported the motion, including Para himself, while even independents and other opposition parties withheld support.

The bill was subsequently dropped from the agenda.

A legislator speaking to The Kashmiriyat on condition of anonymity termed the move “a political gimmick.”

“Nothing related to land is in the hands of the state government; all such powers rest with the Centre. Presenting such bills is merely wasting the time of the House,” the legislator said.