Asif Iqbal Naik
Srinagar, October 28, 2025 — The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is scheduled for a busy session on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, with the introduction of three crucial government bills and a series of private member resolutions focused on employment, disaster relief, and institutional reforms.
Bills for Introduction Highlight Key Changes
The list of business for the Assembly includes three major bills set for introduction by the concerned ministers:
• J&K Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (L.A. Bill No. 5 of 2025): To be introduced by the Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, this bill proposes to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989. The primary objective of this amendment is to enhance the maximum age limit for the State Election Commissioner from 65 years to 70 years. The move is aimed at introducing greater flexibility and bringing parity with similar provisions in other states.
• Rural Development Department (RDD) affairs are set against the backdrop of the government’s policy decision to restrict participation in the tendering process for developmental works up to ₹3 lakh exclusively to residents of the concerned local Panchayats. This move, aimed at accelerating grassroots development, enhancing transparency, and boosting local ownership of assets, requires prospective bidders to complete a simple registration process through the Deputy Commissioner’s office, reinforcing the role of the RDD in empowering local communities.
• J&K Shops and Establishments Bill, 2025 (L.A. Bill No. 6 of 2025): The Deputy Chief Minister Incharge Labour & Employment is set to introduce this significant bill, which aims to amend and consolidate laws regarding the regulation of employment and other conditions of service for workers in shops and establishments. Notably, the bill includes provisions that would allow woman workers, with their consent, to work during night shifts, provided the employer ensures adequate safety, dignity, protection from sexual harassment, and transportation from the workplace to their residence.
• J&K Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (L.A. Bill No. 7 of 2025): The Minister for Cooperative will introduce a bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act, 1989.
Private Members’ Resolutions Address Public Concern
In addition to the legislative business, the Assembly will take up a number of Private Members’ Resolutions tackling issues of immediate public concern:
• Flood and Landslide Relief: Mr. Pawan Kumar Gupta will move a resolution urging the Government to take immediate steps for the relief and rehabilitation of victims of the recent floods and landslides. The resolution also calls on the Union Government to provide special assistance under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) to ensure adequate compensation and restoration of livelihood for affected families. An amendment to this resolution will be moved to also include compensation for fruit growers whose produce was destroyed due to the recent National Highway blockade.
• Employment and Regularization: Mr. Ajaz Ahmad Jan will move a resolution urging the Government to regularize the services of daily wagers working in different Departments and to formulate clear eligibility criteria based on their service duration and performance. An amendment seeks to extend this regularization push to “daily wagers and other adhoc/contractual workers”. Another resolution by Dr. Syed Bashir Ahmad (Veeri) calls for exploring new employment avenues in the public and private sector, with a focus on sponsoring agro-based business opportunities.
• Infrastructure and Governance: Members are also set to debate resolutions concerning:
• Establishing the Jammu and Kashmir National Law University at Srinagar, as earmarked funds for the first phase have already been provided. An amendment proposes substituting the location with “Bandipora District”.
• The revitalization and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure across the Union Territory.
• Allotting land to families who lost their homes and cattle sheds due to landslides that occurred after August 26, 2025.
