SRINAGAR: The opening day of the 10-day Autumn Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed high drama and intense political confrontation today as treasury and opposition members clashed on the house floor.

Statehood Demands Take Center Stage

Following solemn obituary references for late former ministers, the house erupted into slogan-shouting. Ruling alliance members from the National Conference, Congress, and CPI(M) stood in unison to demand the immediate restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.

CPI(M) MLA M.Y. Tarigami urged opposition members to support the cause, pointing out that two years have elapsed since statehood was promised. Senior NC leader Ali Mohammad Sagar led treasury members in chanting slogans advocating for statehood restoration.

“We are completely prepared to address all questions raised by the opposition, but their interest seems centered on disruption rather than public welfare.” — Surinder Choudhary, Deputy Chief Minister

BJP Protests Over Public Issues

Simultaneously, members of the main opposition party, the BJP, displayed placards and entered the well to press for administrative action regarding National Health Mission (NHM) employees and local developmental concerns. Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather called for order and urged lawmakers to return to their assigned seats so legislative proceedings could continue.

Updates on Free Electricity Scheme

In written legislative replies, the Power Development Department informed the house that its flagship scheme to offer 200 units of free electricity through 2-kW rooftop solar installations has reached the final tender evaluation stage under the RESCO model. However, the administration clarified that there is currently no proposal to waive existing electricity bill arrears following smart meter installations.