President's rule extended

JAMMU: With Election Commission categorically ruling out the possibility of holding Assembly elections for at least next three months, the Centre on Wednesday approved extension of the President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir for six more months beginning July 3.

Governor Satya Pal Malik had recommended that the President Rule in the State may be extended for a further period of six months.

A meeting of the Union Cabinet in New Delhi, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, decided that central rule, which has been continuing in Jammu and Kashmir since June 20, 2018, will remain for six months.

"Yes, it has been decided," Union minister Prakash Javedkar told reporters when asked whether the Cabinet gave its nod to extend President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir.

An official statement said based on the prevailing situation in the state as stated in the report of Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the extension of President's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir for a further period of six months with effect from July 3, 2019, under article 356(4) of the Constitution of India.

This is likely to be the last extension of the central rule in the state as the Election Commission had issued a statement recently stating that elections in Jammu and Kashmir would be announced after the annual Amarnath Yatra beginning on July 1.

The Yatra will come to a close on August 15 and announcement on Assembly elections is expected soon after.

The present term of President's rule is expiring on July 2 and the Governor has recommended that the President rule in the state may be extended for a further period of six months with effect from July 3, the statement said.

A resolution seeking approval of the Parliament for the extension of the central rule in Jammu and Kashmir will be moved in both houses of parliament during the forthcoming session.

After the Union Cabinet's nod, President Ram Nath Kovind will sign the proclamation for imposition of President's rule in the state, a home ministry official said.

The Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir was imposed initially on June 20, 2018 and the State Assembly was kept in suspended animation after the state plunged into a political crisis when the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government was reduced to minority following withdrawal of support by the 25-member BJP in the state.

Under Section 92 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, there is no provision for further continuation of Governor's rule after six months. Hence, on the recommendation of Governor and having regard to the prevailing situation in the state, the President's rule was imposed on December 20, 2018.

Subsequently, a resolution approving the President's rule was passed in the Lok Sabha on December 28, 2018 and in the Rajya Sabha on January 3, 2019.

Governor Satypal Malik on November 21, 2018 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 stability to form a government as the reasons.

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.

Meanwhile, 3.5 lakh people living in 435 villages along the India-Pakistan international border (IB) in Jammu, Kathua and Samba districts will get the benefits of 3% reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in different professional courses, at par with those living along the Actual Line of Control (ALoC).

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi here on Wednesday.

In keeping with its pro-people initiatives and especially for those at the last mile of development, the Union Cabinet cleared the decks for approval of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, which will be introduced in the forthcoming session of Parliament, according to an official statement.

"The Cabinet decision is a reflection of Prime Minister Modi's vision of a pro-people government committed to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas and Sabka Vishwas," the statement said.

The move will go a long way in providing relief to the people living in areas adjoining the international border in Jammu and Kashmir.

They can now avail the benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotion and admission in different professional courses, the statement said.

The Bill will replace the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 through amendments in the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 and bringing the persons residing in areas adjoining the IB within the ambit of reservation, at par with those living in areas adjoining the ALoC.

The people living in areas adjoining the IB in Jammu and Kashmir were not included in the ambit of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004 and Rules, 2005.

The rules provided for reservation in direct recruitment, promotions and admission in different professional courses to various categories, including the residents of areas adjoining the ALoC. Thus, those living in areas adjoining the IB in Jammu and Kashmir were not getting these benefits for a long time.

Due to continuous cross-border tensions, persons living along the IB suffer from socio-economic and educational backwardness. Shelling from across the border often compels these residents to move to safer places, which adversely impacts their education as schools and colleges remain closed for long periods.

Hence, it was felt justifiable to extend the reservation benefits to persons residing in the areas adjoining the IB, on the lines of those living in areas adjoining the ALoC.

Since Jammu and Kashmir is currently under the President's Rule, the powers of the state Assembly are vested with Parliament and hence, it was decided to replace the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019 with the Bill to be placed in both the Houses of Parliament.

Comment on this Story