The Upper House of the Jammu & Kashmir State legislature on Tuesday adopted a historic resolution recommending a State holiday on September 23, the birth anniversary of last Dogra king Maharaja Hari Singh.
The resolution was moved by Ajatshatru Singh, grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh and a BJP member in the Upper House.
This is for the first time a formal resolution was moved and later adopted by the House with a voice vote.
While moving the resolution Ajatshartu Singh said that the historic contribution of Maharaja Hari Singh,who had signed instrument of accession on October 26, 1947 before acceding the princely State with the union of India, needs to be acknowledged. It would be a tribute to him if the State declares official holiday on his birth anniversary.
The Opposition members who had earlier staged a walk out from the House during the Question Hour were not present in the House when the Private Members Resolution was adopted.
The resolution was seconded by Vikramaditya Singh, elder grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh, who is himself a PDP member in the House.
Minister for Education and leader of the House, Naeem Akhtar, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Choudhary lal Singh, Deputy Chairman, legislative Council, Jehangir Hussain Mir, legislators Ashok Khajuria, Vikramaditya Singh, Surinder Mohan Ambardar, Ramesh Arora, Firdous Tak, Surinder Kumar Chowdhary and Vibod Gupta participated in the discussion.
While participating in the discussion Naeem Akhtar said the State already observes 51 holidays in a calendar year in Government offices, financial institutions, educational institutions. In comparison the Union Govrnment normally prescribes 17 Gazetted holidays and 2 restricted holidays during a calendar year. Given the existing number of holidays being observed at various levels in the State it may not be feasible to further increase the number as the same is likely to affect the delivery of public services. He even requested the member to withdraw the resolution while assuring that it could be considered after holding discussion with all other stakeholders. But Ajatshatru Singh stood his ground and pressed for the resolution . The resolution was later passed by voice vote. Out of 14 members present in the House 11 members voted in support while three others opposed it.