DNA TV Show: Analysis on home ministry gives more powers to Jammu & Kashmir L-G

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday amended the rules of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, enhancing some powers of the Lieutenant Governor of the erstwhile state. 

In today's DNA, Anant Tyagi discusses on home ministry gives more powers to Jammu & Kashmir L-G.

Decisions regarding the appointment of advocate general and other law officers, besides matters related to the anti-corruption bureau will also be taken by the lieutenant governor (L-G).

The amendments will come into force on July 12, the date of the publication in the Official Gazette-- a move in anticipation of the speculated assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

These powers were given to the L-G by the Union home ministry on Friday by amending the rules issued under the Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which was enacted for the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while abrogating Article 370.

According to the amendment, no proposal regarding police, public order, All India Services and ACB will be accepted or rejected until it is placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary. This amendment means that the powers of the LG of Jammu and Kashmir will be like those of the LG of Delhi.

"No proposal which requires previous concurrence of the Finance Department with regard to 'Police', 'Public Order', 'All India Service' and 'Anti Corruption Bureau' to exercise the discretion of the Lieutenant Governor under the Act shall be concurred or rejected unless it has been placed before the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary," according to the notification issued by the Union home ministry.

Furthermore, the ministry stated that the following rules will be added to the main rules after rule 42.

"Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs shall submit the proposal for appointment of Advocate-General and other Law Officers to assist the Advocate-General in the court proceedings, for approval of the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister," it said.