SRINAGAR, July 13: Following the central government’s amendment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, which enhances the Lieutenant Governor’s powers, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah stated that the move would render the new Chief Minister “powerless,” hinting that elections in the region might be imminent. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the amendment earlier today, augmenting certain powers of the Lieutenant Governor of the erstwhile state.
Omar Abdullah took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his concerns. “Another indicator that elections are around the corner in J-K. This is why a firm commitment to laying out the timeline for the restoration of full, undiluted statehood for J-K is a prerequisite for these elections. The people of J-K deserve better than a powerless, rubber stamp CM who will have to beg the LG to get his/her peon appointed,” he posted.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and senior BJP leader Kavinder Gupta supported the changes, stating they were necessary and timely. “In the coming days, the elections of Vidhan Sabha will be held, and looking after that, the LG power has been enhanced. The changes are important and they should take place. Looking after that, the Minister of Home Affairs has taken the decision. For free and fair elections, the step has been taken. In the recently concluded Lok Sabha election, we all witnessed that people in Jammu and Kashmir voted with great zeal. After this decision, the activeness will come in the administration,” Gupta said.
Reacting to Abdullah’s remarks about the CM becoming ‘powerless,’ Gupta added, “Law and order already is under control of MHA. Commenting on the issue is not right. Earlier the conditions of J-K were not good but now the government has improved the law and order here.”
President Droupadi Murmu approved the amendments, exercising the powers conferred by section 55 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, read with the Proclamation dated October 31, 2019, issued under section 73 of the Act, according to a notification issued by the MHA.
The President made the rules to further amend the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019. The amendments came into effect on July 12, the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
Several rules have been inserted into the principal rules, including sub-rule (2A), which states that no proposal requiring the previous concurrence of the Finance Department regarding ‘Police,’ ‘Public Order,’ ‘All India Service,’ and ‘Anti-Corruption Bureau’ shall be concurred or rejected unless placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary.
Additionally, new rules have been inserted to handle appointments of the Advocate-General and other law officers, grant or refusal of prosecution sanctions, and matters connected with Prisons, Directorate of Prosecution, and the Forensic Science Laboratory. Proposals for posting and transfer of Administrative Secretaries and cadre posts of All India Services officers must also be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary.
The principal rules were initially published in the Gazette of India on August 27, 2020, and subsequently amended on February 28, 2024.
