The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Monday passed a resolution demanding the urgent restoration of full statehood to the Union Territory.

The resolution was passed amid a walkout by BJP MLAs.

The resolution, moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the assembly today witnessed heated exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches, with BJP MLAs objecting to references to the erstwhile state’s status before August 5, 2019.

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The resolution was taken up for discussion amid 10 amendments moved by legislators. Eight of these amendments seek to broaden its scope to include the restoration of the special status Jammu and Kashmir held before August 2019.

What happened in the House today

BJP legislators raised “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Speaker sahib, kursi chodo, kursi chodo” (Speaker sahib, leave the chair) slogans and entered the well of the House, demanding that Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather step down from the chair.

The BJP said 23 legislators had signed a motion against the Speaker and insisted that it be taken up and put to vote before other business. Rather said he had not seen the motion and cited the relevant rules of procedure. He said that even if a written notice of a motion against the Speaker was submitted, it could be included in the House’s business only on a date not earlier than 14 days from the notice.

What all Bills were proposed in the House by CM today

Omar Abdullah introduced 5 bills in the Assembly, including legislation seeking amendments to the salaries and allowances of ministers and legislators, and measures aimed at promoting ease of doing business in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Three of the bills seek amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Ministers’ and Ministers of State Salaries Act, 1956, the Salaries and Allowances of Members of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Act, 1960, and the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Members’ Pension Act, 1984.

Abdullah also introduced a bill aimed at consolidating and amending existing laws to shift from permission-based controls to rule-based governance. The proposed legislation seeks to provide greater certainty to citizens and businesses, promote ease of doing business and ease of living, attract investment, generate employment and support long-term economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chief Minister further introduced a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.