Article 370: J&K Reorganisation Bill Passed In Rajya Sabha, Expected To Sail Through Lok Sabha Next

The Rajya Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Reorganisation Bill, 2019 via a division of votes which was introduced after a Presidential Order revoking Article 370 earlier in the day.

After opposition members objected to the voice vote passing the bill, Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu ordered for a division of votes.

The bill was passed despite the NDA government having only 107 members in the 241 member-house. Several non-NDA parties however lent support to the bill leading to its passage.

The final tally for the motion of consideration stood at Ayes 125, Noes 61 and one abstain.

While the BJD, AIADMK, YSRCP, TDP, BSP among several others supported the bill, the Congress, DMK and Left parties opposed it. Several members of the Congress, including its whip had resigned from the house membership to oppose the decisions it had been taking in the house.

The bill paves the way for the exiting state of J&K to be bifurcated into the two union territories (UTs). The first UT, Ladakh will consist of the districts of Leh and Kargil while the UT of J&K will comprise of all the districts except those two.

The UT of J&K is to be administered by a Lieutenant Governor who will be advised by an elected legislature. Seats will be reserved for SC/ST population the legislature in proportion to their population in the state. The UT of Ladakh shall be administered by a Lieutenant Governor without a legislature.

The current governor of J&K, Satyapal Malik is to continue as the administrator of the UTs until new appointments are made by the President of India.

The decision to create a separate UT for Ladakh has been taken due to a long pending demand of people of Ladakh, to give it the status of a Union Territory to enable them to realise their aspirations.

Converting J&K to a UT has been fuelled by the internal security situation in the state, fuelled by cross border terrorism in the existing J&K state.