J&K transition: Secys to meet on August 28

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 23

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has convened a meeting of the secretaries of all Central ministries on August 28 to discuss measures to implement the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, as the two Union Territories — J&K and Ladakh — would come into being on October 31.

Sources in the government said the meeting had been convened to deliberate on issues relating to the state’s reorganisation to ensure smooth transition from a state to UTs. They said the meeting would be steered by the Union Home Secretary. 

“There are various overlapping issues concerning several ministries that will be discussed. Ensuring a smooth transition will be the focus,” said a senior official. It has also been learnt that the secretaries of the economic and social sector ministries had been told to come up with a short (100 days) and long-term plans concerning the UTs.

Under the Act passed by Parliament on August 6, the number of seats in the J&K Legislative Assembly has been increased from 107 to 114. From October 31, 106 central laws will be applicable to the two UTs along with 166 state Acts. Sources, however, said 153 of the state laws would be repealed soon.

Sources in the MHA said the elections to the Assembly of the proposed J&K UT would be conducted after the delimitation exercise was over and a notification for this would be issued soon.