New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha on Monday approved statutory resolution to extend President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir for a further period of 6 months with effect from 3rd July 2019. The upper house of parliament also passed the bill amending the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2019. Both were moved by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, had been passed by the Lok Sabha on Friday.


While moving the statutory resolution in this regard on Monday, Shah told Rajya Sabha that the Centre has no option but to extend the President's rule for six months in Jammu and Kashmir as the Election Commission intends to hold assembly polls there towards the end of the year.

On December 20, 2018 President's rule was imposed.

With the opposition questioning the delay in holding assembly polls, Shah said assembly elections were never conducted in the past in the state during the month of Ramzan, which was from May 7 to June 4 this year. He also cited the Amarnath Yatra from June 30 to August 15 and said the Bakarwal community also moves to higher reaches during this time and returns only in October.

The Home Minister also moved the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, to replace an ordinance issued by the previous government. The same was also given approval by the Parliament today.

The reservation will benefit people living along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Kashmir will get benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in professional courses on a par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC). The minister said that reservation will also benefit about 3.5 lakh people living in 435 villages of the three districts -- Kathua, Samba and Jammu.