The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced on Wednesday that it intends to move a Motion of Privilege against Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Law Secretary Achal Sethi. The motion is aimed at addressing their “role and conduct” and their “questioning” of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s statehood resolution.
PDP legislator Waheed‑ur‑Rehman Para wrote to Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, stating that the resolution had been passed by the Assembly on Monday and that the officers had provided an opinion to the Speaker. Para argued that while officers may offer administrative or legal advice within their duties, such advice should not be used to question, constrain or intrude upon the legislative privileges and authority of the House.
During the debate on the resolution, Chief Minister Abdullah cited severe bureaucratic overreach, noting that the Speaker had received the officers’ opinion without his knowledge. He emphasized that the power of the elected Legislature to initiate, deliberate, amend and adopt resolutions is a core parliamentary function.
Congress legislator Irfan Hafeez Lone and J&K Peoples Conference legislator Sajad Gani Lone also voiced concerns. Lone remarked that the incident was unknown to law even if Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory and that the Speaker, as per the rules, decides the admissibility of a resolution. Lone called the officers’ communications disturbing and urged action against those undermining the house.
