The Ministry of Home Affairs has modified the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019, enhancing Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s authority amid rumors of upcoming assembly elections in the Union Territory.

This essentially means that any elected government in the Union Territory will have restricted powers regarding critical issues, such as internal security, transfers, prosecution, and the appointment of government lawyers, including the Attorney-General.

According to the notification, no proposal that requires prior approval from the Finance Department concerning police, public order, AIS, and ACB to exercise the discretion of the Lt Governor under the Act shall be approved or rejected unless it has been presented to the Lt Governor through the Chief Secretary.

The Department of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs will put forward the proposal for appointing an Advocate-General and additional law officers to support the Advocate-General in court proceedings, and will seek approval from the Lt Governor via the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister.

The notification states that any proposal concerning the approval or denial of prosecution sanction or the filing of an appeal will be presented to the Lt Governor through the Chief Secretary by the Department of Law.

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The Ministry of Home Affairs has revised the transaction of business rules for the Government of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as per the 2019 regulations.

On July 5, sources informed that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections would take place after the Amarnath Yatra, ending on August 19. During this time, Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a crucial BJP meeting, instructing regional leaders to prepare for the election.

Insiders confirm that the Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir is imminent. The recent changes in business rules signal the expected governance model in the Union Territory following the election.

Prominent parties such as the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) criticized the Centre’s action, claiming it aims to reduce an elected government to a municipal council.

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