37 Central Acts to apply in J&K after Cabinet nod

THE ADAPTATION OF THESE CENTRAL LAWS WILL BE UNDER SECTION 96 OF THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR REORGANISATION ACT, 2019, WHICH BIFURCATED J&K INTO 2 UNION TERRITORIES

NEW DELHI: A total of 37 Central laws will now be applicable to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with the Union Cabinet on Wednesday giving its approval for issuance of the order for this purpose.

The decision is an effort to ensure administrative effectiveness and smooth transition in J a mmu a n d Kas h mi r a n d removing any ambiguity, in line with the Constitution, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said.

The adaptation of these Central laws will be under Section 96 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories -Jammu and Kashmir with an Assembly and Ladakh without one -- and got President Ram Nath Kovind’s assent on August 9, 2019, just four days after the Parliament passed it.

After the act came into force, J a mmu a n d Kas h mir was divided into the two Union Territories on October 31, 2019.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the issuance of the order, Javadekar said at a media briefing.

“All the Central laws which are applicable to whole of India except the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir before the appointed date of October 31, 2019 are now applicable to Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” he announced.

The Minister said that it is necessary to adapt the Central laws made under the concurrent list, with required modifications and amendments.

As per Section 96, the Central government has powers to make adaptations and modifications of the laws, whether by way of repeal or amendment, as may be necessary or expedient for the purpose of facilitating the application of any law made before the appointed date till the expiration of one year f rom t he appointed date in relation to the successor Union Territories.

The Union government on August 5, nullified Article 370 of the Constitution which gave the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir its special status. The government also split the state in two Union territories.

Ahead of the move, several restrictions on movement and communications were put in place amid apprehensions of violence. Several mainstream leaders including three former chief ministers continue to be under detentions at their homes or government quarters.