New Delhi: Dec 5 :The Lok Sabha engaged in discussions on Tuesday, regarding the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill and Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented both bills for consideration in the Lower House.
Addressing at the Lok Sabha, Shah emphasized the correction of the previous arrangement, stating, “How can a country have two PMs, two constitutions, and two flags? Those who did this, they did wrong. PM Modi corrected it. We have been saying since 1950 that there should be ‘Ek Pradhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Vidhan’ (One Prime Minister, one flag, and one Constitution) in the country, and we did it.”
Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023:
This bill proposes amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019. It outlines the reorganisation of the state into the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature).
The amendment increases the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s total seats from 83 to 90, with seven seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and nine for Scheduled Tribes. Additionally, the Lieutenant Governor is granted the authority to nominate two members from the Kashmiri migrant community to the Legislative Assembly, including at least one woman. Furthermore, the L-G can nominate one member representing displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir to the Assembly.
Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Bill:
This bill amends the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004. It introduces provisions for reservation in jobs and admission to professional institutions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other socially and educationally backward classes.
The socially and educationally backward classes, as defined by the bill, include residents in villages declared as such by Jammu and Kashmir, individuals in areas adjoining the Actual Line of Control and International Border, and those belonging to weak and underprivileged classes (social castes), as notified.
