The Ministry of Home Affairs has strengthened the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. The Centre has amended the Kashmir Reorganisation Act to give more powers to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The administration has been worried about the recent terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. That is why a section of the informed community thinks this step is important. In 2019
Section 55 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019) has been amended. As a result, the power of the elected government in Jammu and Kashmir will be limited in important matters like internal security, transfers, and the appointment of public prosecutors, including the attorney general. Elections are due in Jammu and Kashmir this year. In this situation, the Center has taken such a step.
With this step, the central government has limited the powers of an elected government in the Union Territory in several important areas, including internal security, transfers, trials, and the appointment of public prosecutors, including the Attorney General.
Any proposal relating to police, public order, AIS and ACB under the Act which requires the consent of the Finance Department shall not be rejected if it is placed at par with the Lt Governor through the Chief Secretary," according to an official notice.
The Legislature, Justice, and Parliamentary Division shall submit a motion to the Lieutenant Governor for approval through the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister, proposing the appointment of an Advocate-General to assist the Advocate-General in Court proceedings and an officer to carry out other legal functions. The Law Department may submit any proposal for the grant or rejection of prosecution sanction, as well as the filing of an appeal, to the Lieutenant Governor through the Chief Secretary.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has also amended the rules regarding business transactions in the Union Territory by amending the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019.
A section of political experts feel that the change in the law is an indication of the model of governance of the post-election government in the Union Territory.
The Amarnath Yatra is scheduled to end on August 19. After this, the date of the elections in Jammu and Kashmir can be announced. Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah held a meeting with top BJP leaders. And he directed the leaders of the valley to prepare for the elections. Before that, this step seemed to be very significant in the political circle.