- The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 was introduced and passed in Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2019 and passed in Lok Sabha on August 6, 2019.
- The Bill provides for reorganisation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into
- The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with legislature
- Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh without a legislature (previously 4 seats).
- The UT of Ladakh will comprise Kargil and Leh districts only. The rest of the territories will belong to UT of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Lok Sabha will have five seats from the UT of J-K, while Ladakh will have one seat.
Lieutenant Governor
- Both the Union Territories will be administered by the President, through an administrator appointed by him known as the Lieutenant Governor (LG).
Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir
- The Bill provides for the addition of 7 seats to the Legislative Assembly for J & K UT with 114 seats (previously 107 seats).
- Of these, 24 seats will remain vacant on account of certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir being under the occupation of Pakistan. Rest of 90 seats will be for J and K.
- The LG may nominate two members to the Legislative Assembly to give representation to women, if they are not adequately represented.
- Assembly seats will be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population.
- The assembly will have a term of 5 years and the LG must summon the Assembly at least once in six months.
- It may make laws for any part of the J and K UT related to:
- any matters specified in the State List of the Constitution, except “Police” and “Public Order”.
- any matter in the Concurrent List applicable to Union Territories.
- Further, Parliament will have the power to make laws in relation to any matter for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Council of Ministers
- There will be a Council of Ministers of not more than ten percent of the total number of members in the Assembly.
- It will aid and advice the LG on matters that the Assembly has powers to make law.
- The Chief Minister will communicate all decisions of the Council to the LG.
High Court
- The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir will be the common High Court for the Union Territories of Ladakh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
- Further the UT of J and K will have an Advocate General to provide legal advice to the government of the Union Territory.
Legislative Council
- The Legislative Council of the state of Jammu and Kashmir will be abolished. Upon dissolution, all Bills pending in the Council will lapse.
Old State Laws of J and K
- 153 state laws of Jammu and Kashmir have been repealed.
- 166 state laws will remain in force, and 7 laws will be applicable with amendments.
- These amendments include lifting of prohibitions on “lease of land” to persons who are not permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
Other Provisions
- The Union Government will establish Advisory Committees for issues related to
- The generation and supply of electricity and water
- The Jammu and Kashmir State Financial Corporation
- Distribution of assets and liabilities of corporations of the state of Jammu and Kashmir between the two Union Territories.