President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir

President's rule has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir after the expiry of the six-month long Governor's rule. President Ram Nath Kovind issued a proclamation declaring that the powers of the Legislature of the state shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament.

President Ram Nath Kovind.

NEW DELHI: President's rule has been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir as the six-month long Governor's rule in the state expired on Wednesday. President Ram Nath Kovind issued a proclamation on Wednesday declaring that the powers of the Legislature of the state shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. The decision has been taken after Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik sent a report to the central government recommending imposition of President's rule in the state, he said in a statement. The Centre has recommended imposition of President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir to meet state constitution’s requirement following expiry of six months of Governor’s rule on December 19. The state plunged into a political crisis in June this year after the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government was reduced to minority following withdrawal of support by the 25-member BJP in the state. Since the state has a separate Constitution, in such cases, six months of governor's rule is compulsory under Article 92 of the Jammu and Kashmir Constitution, under which all the legislature powers are vested with the governor. The governor has to dissolve the Legislative Assembly after the tenure of six months is over and the state will directly come under the President's rule for following six months during which elections have to be declared in state. In case the elections are not declared, President Rule will be can be extended by another six months. No Presidential proclamation shall in any case remain in force for more than three years except for the intervention of Election Commission of India which has to certify that the continuance in force of the Proclamation is necessary on account of difficulties in holding general elections to the Legislative Assembly. Since the state does not come under President's rule under Article 356 of the Constitution and is promulgated under Section 92 of the state Constitution, all the decisions taken thereof shall have a concurrence of the President under Article 74 (1)(i) under which council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head will aid and advise the President. The governor on November 21 dissolved the 87-member state assembly after the PDP, supported by the Congress and their arch rivals National Conference, had staked claim to form the government. Simultaneously, the two-member People's Conference led by Sajjad Lone had also staked claim to form a government with 25 members of the BJP and other 18 unknown members. The governor had dissolved the assembly citing horse-trading and lack of stablity to form a government as the reasons. (With inputs from PTI)