Central Government’s Move to Vest More Powers in Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor: What could it means???

Srinagar, July 13, 2024 – Political parties in JKUT have voiced strong opposition to the Centre’s recent decision to vest more powers in the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir, specifically concerning decisions related to police and All-India Service officers.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued a notification on July 12, 2024, amending the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019. The order, published in the Official Gazette, amends the Transaction of Business of the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Rules, 2019.The amendment includes several key changes:

Proposals requiring the Finance Department’s concurrence on matters such as police, public order, and anti-corruption must be placed before the LG through the Chief Secretary.

The Department of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs is now required to submit proposals for appointing the Advocate-General and other law officers to assist in court proceedings for the LG’s approval through the Chief Secretary and Chief Minister.

Any proposals regarding prosecution sanctions or appeals must also go through this process.Matters related to prisons, prosecution, forensic science, and the transfer of administrative secretaries and All India Services officers now fall under the LG’s purview.

Political Reactions

The National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have criticized the decision, claiming it will “disempower” the people of Jammu and Kashmir. NC vice president Omar Abdullah stated, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir deserve better than a powerless, rubber stamp Chief Minister who will have to beg the LG to get a peon appointed.” He also suggested that the move indicates imminent elections in the region.

NC chief spokesperson Tanvir Sadiq described the decision as “a blatant misuse of power” by the BJP-led central government. Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Vikar Rasool Wani termed the move a “murder of democracy,” highlighting that powers over police, law, and order, and the transfer of officers have been vested in the LG.

Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari urged all political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to unite against the Centre’s move. He stated, “This new decision aims at making the State hollow in which no powers will be left for an elected Government… The people of Jammu and Kashmir do not support this.”

Government’s Clarification

The Government has clarified that the notification is intended to provide better clarity on administrative processes and ensure smooth governance in the Union Territory. According to government sources, the notification does not amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, but rather clarifies transaction rules to avoid ambiguity.

The sources further explained that the powers conferred on the Legislative Assembly and the functions of the LG have been clearly defined in the Act and reflected in the transaction of business rules. They emphasized that the notification does not alter the balance of powers as established by the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.

Despite these assurances, the notification has sparked significant political backlash, with leaders across the spectrum condemning the move as an attempt to undermine democratic processes and centralize power in the hands of the LG.

What so ever be the reasons, Samba Times is of the view that whenever there is decrease in power at centre as is seen in this elections in which Modi’s Govt is not able to form the Govt on its own, there is increase in Pak sponsored terrorism activities in Jammu and Kashmir as evident from the recent terrors attack in Hiranagar Reasi Bhadrawah Basantgarh Badnota etc claiming the precious lives of over valiant soldiers & taking in peril the lives of other innocent citizens, So increase in power of LG is a well planned move to counter any move if there is any leniency by elected Govt in state as there is speculation of elections of the legislative Assembly at the fag end of this year.

What is in the womb of the time nobody knows but the political atmosphere of JKUT is heated up with everybody speculating the political moves.

Rahul Sambyal ✍️