Centre Expands Powers of J&K Lt Governor; Sparks Political Outrage

The Ministry of Home Affairs has amended the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, enhancing the powers of the Lieutenant Governor. Opposition parties criticized the move, arguing it undermines the potential statehood of J-K and renders the new Chief Minister powerless if elections occur.

The Ministry of Home Affairs on Saturday amended the rules governing the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019, significantly expanding the powers of the region's Lieutenant Governor. The move has incited strong reactions from opposition parties, who argue that the amendment makes the prospect of full statehood for Jammu and Kashmir even more tenuous, rendering any future Chief Minister powerless if elections are conducted.

The amendments, which received approval from President Droupadi Murmu, will come into effect on July 12 following their publication in the Official Gazette. Opposition leaders, including Congress' Jairam Ramesh and Mallikarjun Kharge, strongly condemned the move, calling it a betrayal of promises to restore statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Ramesh highlighted that the Supreme Court had mandated elections to J&K Assembly by September 30, 2024, questioning the Centre's intentions.

Omar Abdullah of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference described the amendments as a step to render the new Chief Minister powerless, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called the situation in the Valley a "hell" due to this ordinance. AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi labeled the changes as abnormal, suggesting that the Lieutenant Governor would act as a "Super CM." Government sources clarified that the amendments were merely clarificatory, based on existing provisions in the 2019 Act.

(With inputs from agencies.)