The Centre had no option but to extend the President’s rulefor six months in Jammu and Kashmir as the Election Commission intends to holdassembly polls there towards the end of the year, Home Minister Amit Shah toldRajya Sabha on Monday as he moved a statutory resolution in this regard.
The statutory resolution on extending President’s rule byanother six months with effect from July 3, 2019 was approved by Lok Sabha onFriday.
“After assessing the current situation, includingsecurity and religious activities, the Election Commission has decided to holdelection in Jammu and Kashmir towards the end of this year. The government didnot have any option but to bring this resolution,” Shah said in the UpperHouse.
He hoped that the House will understand the circumstancesand support the resolution.
With the opposition questioning the delay in holdingassembly polls, Shah said assembly elections were never conducted in the pastin the state during the month of Ramadhan, which was from May 7 to June 4 thisyear.
He also cited the Amarnath Yatra from June 30 to August 15and said the Bakarwal community also moves to higher reaches during this timeand returns only in October.
J-K Governor Satypal Malik had on November 21, 2018dissolved the 87-member assembly citing apprehensions of horse trading and lackof credible alternative for government formation.
On December 20, 2018 President’s rule was imposed.
The Home Minister on Monday also moved the Jammu and KashmirReservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, to replace an ordinance issued by theprevious government.
People living along the International Border (IB) in Jammuand Kashmir will get benefits of reservation in direct recruitment, promotionand admission in professional courses on a par with those living along theActual Line of Control (ALoC).
The minister said that reservation will benefit about 3.5lakh people living in 435 villages of the three districts — Kathua, Samba andJammu.
People living along the international border were affectedbecause of unprovoked shelling from across the border. “They had to livein bunkers. Children education gets affected”.
There is a feeling among people of these three districtsthat their interests have been ignored, Shah said, adding that the governmenthad to bring an Ordinance to correct this anomaly and provide reservation tothem as well.
The amendment bill has already got approval of Lok Sabha.
The bill once passed by Parliament will amend the Jammu andKashmir Reservation Act, 2004 to bring persons residing in areas adjoining theIB within the ambit of reservation, on a par with those living in areasadjoining the Actual Line of Contro (ALoC).
People living in areas adjoining the IB in Jammu and Kashmirwere not included in the ambit of the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004and Rules, 2005.
The rules provided for reservation in direct recruitment,promotions and admission in different professional courses to variouscategories.