EXPLAINED | What Is Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2021 Passed In Lok Sabha On Saturday?

Introducing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 earlier in the day, Minister of State for Home Affairs, G. Kishan Reddy, said that the government is working to take Jammu and Kashmir further on the path to development.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Saturday passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 with voice vote despite objections raised by the Opposition parties including the Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, RSP and others. Putting aside the apprehensions of the opposition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Bill has nothing to do with the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir, which will be given at an appropriate time.

Introducing the Bill earlier in the day, Minister of State for Home Affairs, G. Kishan Reddy, said that the government is working to take Jammu and Kashmir further on the path to development.

What Is Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021?

Tabled in Rajya Sabha earlier this week, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 amends the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 which provided for the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. The Bill also repeals the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021.

The Bill states that the members of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the Indian Police Service (IPS) and the Indian Forest Service (IFS) serving in Jammu and Kashmir would continue to serve in the two UTs, based on the allocation decided by the Central government.

It also seeks to merge the existing cadre for IAS of Jammu and Kashmir with those of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre. This shall enable the government to depute IAS, IPS officers and others from all UTs. 

Soon after the Bill was passed by the Lower House, several Opposition parties slammed the BJP for making empty promises in J&K and giving a tainted picture of 'vikas' (development) happening there.

Govt Trying To Convert J&K Into Larger Prison: Congress

Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir is a sensitive state and the cadre should be local and officers having ground knowledge should be appointed there, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury alleged the introduction of this bill reflects the government took the step of abrogating Article 370 without any preparation.

Alleging that militancy is still prevalent in the union territory and people are living in an atmosphere of fear, Chowdury said the BJP-led government tried to turn Jammu and Kashmir into a large prison.

Highlighting the ruling dispensation at the Centre blocked telecommunication services and failed to normalise the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Chowdhury said there is “unemployment, restriction, lost avenues and total confusion”.

Continuing his diatribe against the government, the Congress leader said the Centre had promised to bring back Kashmiri Pandits to the Kashmir valley but has failed to ensure their return.

Asserting the government should make Jammu and Kashmir a state and create a cadre to appoint officers there, he said: “Please think for Jammu and Kashmir with new ideas and do not take adhoc measures.”

Bill Akin To Assault on People Of J&K: NC

National Conference leader Hasnain Masoodi also voiced his opinion against the bill, saying this is akin to an assault on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“You are continuously increasing confusion...What is the objective of this bill? ...You are taking Jammu and Kashmir towards uncertainty through this bill,” PTI quoted Masoodi as saying.

The National Conference leader further said the Centre should restore the position of Jammu and Kashmir to that prior to August 5, 2019.

TMC, RSP Corner Govt:

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) too took potshots at the government with party leader Saugata Roy stating nothing has been achieved after Jammu and Kashmir was turned into a Union Territory, adding development has come to a standstill in the region.

Seeking to know the real state of law and order, RSP leader N.K. Premchandran asked when statehood will be given to Jammu and Kashmir.