Associated News Bureau

Omar Abdullah Withdraws Legislators’ Salary Hike Bill After BJP Opposition in J&K Assembly

Srinagar, September 29: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday withdrew a Bill proposing amendments to the law governing salaries and allowances of Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature after BJP legislators opposed the measure in the Legislative Assembly. The Bill, designated L.A. Bill No. 14 of 2026, was listed for consideration and passage during the ongoing Assembly session. BJP members opposed the proposed enhancement of legislators’ salaries and allowances and urged the government to instead prioritise the regularisation of daily-wage workers. Responding to the opposition, Omar Abdullah said that while the government had the numbers to pass the legislation, he would not proceed with it in the face of objections from members of the House. “I had the majority, but I will not pass it. I will withdraw it,” the Chief Minister said. Omar said the proposal was based on the recommendations of the concerned committee and noted that BJP legislators had also been members of the committee when the matter was discussed. He said no objection had been raised by the BJP members at that stage, but the issue was opposed after the Bill was brought before the House. The Chief Minister said he had anticipated that the matter could become political and had already decided to withdraw the Bill if even one member opposed it. “I was aware that they will politicise it, so I had made up my mind that if any member, even if it is one, opposes it, I will withdraw the Bill,” Omar said. On the BJP’s demand for regularisation of daily wagers, the Chief Minister questioned why the issue had not been resolved during the previous administration’s tenure. Omar pointed out that the previous government was in office before his government came to power in 2024 and questioned why the issue of daily-wage workers had remained unresolved during that period. The exchange triggered a discussion between the treasury and opposition benches, with BJP legislators reiterating their demand for action on the regularisation of daily wagers. When the Speaker put the motion for withdrawal of the Bill before the House, BJP members did not support the withdrawal motion. National Conference members were seen laughing during the proceedings. The government subsequently withdrew L.A. Bill No. 14 of 2026, bringing the discussion over the proposed enhancement of salaries and allowances of legislators to an end.