SRINAGAR, SEPT 27: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is set to take up a wide-ranging legislative and public-issue agenda on Monday, September 28, with the introduction of the Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026, resumption of discussion on the statehood resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, five Calling-Attention Motions and extensive Private Members’ Business.
According to the List of Business issued by the Legislative Assembly Secretariat, proceedings will begin at 10 am with Question Hour, followed by motions covering road construction delays, drinking-water shortages, crop losses caused by hailstorm, ST certificate issues and an alleged outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease among cattle.
The Ease of Doing Business Bill, listed as L.A. Bill No. 11 of 2026, is scheduled to be introduced by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in his capacity as Minister in charge of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The proposed legislation seeks to simplify regulatory procedures, reduce compliance burdens, promote investment and employment, and introduce greater transparency and time-bound decision-making.
A key feature of the proposed framework is “Permission by Exception”, under which enterprises would generally be allowed to undertake activities unless specifically prohibited by law. The Bill also proposes a “One State Principle”, risk-based regulation, proportionality and deemed approvals where decisions are not taken within prescribed timelines.
The proposed legislation provides for an In-Principle Approval mechanism, with enterprises in approved industrial parks eligible for approval within three working days after submission of the prescribed Declaration of Intent. For enterprises outside such parks, the District Empowered Committee would have up to 30 working days, while applications concerning existing enterprises could take up to 45 working days.
The Bill also proposes a three-year moratorium on inspections and coercive action relating to approvals of registered enterprises, subject to specified conditions. Exceptions have been proposed for serious complaints, false information, regulatory violations and minimum fire-safety requirements.
A Union Territory-level Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Council, headed by the Chief Minister, along with an Executive Committee headed by the Chief Secretary, has also been proposed. District Empowered Committees headed by Deputy Commissioners would handle specified approvals and review delays or rejected applications at the district level.
The House is also scheduled to resume discussion on the resolution moved by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 25, with the matter listed after introduction of the Ease of Doing Business Bill and before Private Members’ Business.
Among the five Calling-Attention Motions, Congress MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) will raise the delay in commencement of construction work on the Jawdara-Barni Road. BJP MLA Shagun Parihar will highlight drinking-water shortages in Kishtwar town and the Tunder area of Dachan.
MLA Pirzada Farooq Ahmad Shah will raise alleged extensive agricultural and horticultural losses caused by the September 11-12 hailstorm in several villages of the Gulmarg constituency, including Haibilgam, Devbugh, Hardubani, Katibugh, Check-Charitram, Nangerpora, Kreshama, Yaal, Bewah, Mangalore, Mughama and Rawanpora.
Dr Sajad Shafi is scheduled to raise alleged delays and rejections in processing ST certificates of eligible applicants under the Pahari Ethnic Group category in Uri constituency.
BJP MLA Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal will draw attention to concerns over an alleged outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease among cattle in Ramgarh constituency of Samba, including reported cattle deaths and losses suffered by dairy farmers. The motion seeks measures including vaccination, deployment of veterinary teams, medicines and compensation.
The Assembly agenda further includes 33 Private Members’ Bills covering subjects ranging from online gaming and fantasy leagues, substance-abuse prevention, electricity-dues relief for AAY, PHH and BPL consumers, district-cadre reservation and healthcare staffing in remote areas to solid-waste management, disaster compensation, employee transfers, youth employment and water-resource legislation.
A Private Members’ Bill moved by Saif-ud-Din Bhat proposes a framework for the registration, recognition, accreditation and functioning of digital news publishers and social-media news channels in J&K, including provisions relating to ownership transparency, editorial responsibility, fact-checking, accreditation and grievance redressal.
Two Private Members’ Bills are also listed for consideration and passing. Tanvir Sadiq is scheduled to move a Bill concerning restoration of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Grants Act, 1960 and associated rules to their pre-2022 position, while Sajad Shaheen will move a Bill proposing establishment of a university campus at Banihal in Ramban district.
With government legislation, the Chief Minister’s resolution, five Calling-Attention Motions and a substantial Private Members’ agenda lined up, Monday’s sitting is set to cover a broad mix of policy, governance and constituency-specific issues.
