Discuss the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. (150 Words)
Discuss the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, Briefly describe the powers and functions of the Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. (150 Words)
Background
The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019
(effective 31 October 2019) reorganized the erstwhile State of J&K into two
Union Territories (UTs):
o UT
of J&K (with a Legislative Assembly),
o UT
of Ladakh (without an Assembly).
Body
Nature of the Legislative Assembly
- The
UT of J&K has a legislature similar to Delhi and Puducherry,
functioning under Article 239A.
- Composition:
o Initially,
83 seats → reorganized to 90 seats (Delimitation Commission,
2022).
o 24
seats remain vacant for areas under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- Tenure:
5 years (unlike 6 years earlier under J&K Constitution).
- Lieutenant
Governor (LG) is the administrative head, with the Assembly and Council of
Ministers aiding in governance.
Powers and Functions
- Legislative
Powers:
o Can
make laws on State List and Concurrent List subjects, except
public order and police (which remain with the Centre, like Delhi).
o Parliament
retains overriding powers.
- Financial
Powers:
o Assembly
passes the annual budget and exercises control over public expenditure.
- Executive
Powers:
o Council
of Ministers (headed by CM) is collectively responsible to the Assembly.
o LG
retains discretionary powers in specified matters (law & order, land).
- Representative
Functions:
o Articulates
aspirations of the people of J&K within the constitutional framework.
Conclusion
The J&K Legislative Assembly post-2019 represents a Union
Territory model with limited autonomy, balancing democratic representation
with enhanced Union control. While it empowers local governance, its restricted
powers, especially in security and law & order, reflect the sensitive
geopolitical context of the region.
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