NeVA project review: J-K Assembly Apex Committee steps up paperless legislature rollout

Speaker of the J-K Legislative Assembly Abdul Rahim Rather chaired an HLAC meeting to review and speed up the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) project. Members discussed completing integration, procuring hardware and network equipment for Srinagar and Jammu complexes, and improving inter-department coordination. The Speaker also announced special training for legislators to support paperless, digital proceedings.

J-K Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather on Saturday reviewed the National e-Vidhan Application NeVA rollout in the Union Territory. Rather chaired a High Level Apex Committee meeting to speed up pending work. Rather said the NeVA project should help the Assembly move to fully digital, paperless functioning.

An official spokesperson said the meeting included MLAs Justice Retd Hasnain Masoodi, Nizamuddin Bhat, Tanvir Sadiq, Arjun Singh Raju, Sunil Bhardwaj, Waheed ur Rehman Para and Bharat Bhushan. Secretary J-K Legislative Assembly Manoj Kumar Pandita also attended. The panel discussed steps needed to complete remaining work and align departments.

National e-Vidhan Application NeVA project in J-K Assembly

Rather asked officers to finish the NeVA work within timelines and ensure full integration. Rather told departments to coordinate closely during execution. Rather also asked teams to keep the HLAC informed about progress achieved. Rather said the main goal was to modernise the Assembly’s systems and daily processes.

Rather directed faster completion of pending procurement linked to the NeVA project. Rather pointed to hardware purchases and required network equipment. The items were needed for both Assembly complexes at Srinagar and Jammu. Rather said these tasks were essential for stable digital operations during sessions.

National e-Vidhan Application NeVA and Question Hour rules

Separately, Rather announced a special training session for legislators on Question Hour. The session was planned for Srinagar in the coming months. Rather made the announcement after BJP MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia raised a Point of Order. The issue involved the length of questions during Question Hour.

Rather said questions should stay concise to protect the House’s available time. Rather stated that questions should not exceed 150 words. Rather cited Rule 38 Condition 7 while urging members to follow the limit. Rather said most questions were long and did not follow the rules.

Rather said many questions were admitted earlier using special powers. Rather asked members to support stricter compliance going forward. Rather warned that long questions would be rejected in future to save time. Rather also suggested a workshop or seminar in Srinagar by experts on rules, to improve awareness.

With inputs from PTI