J&K LG Calls Assembly Session

• 23 Oct 2024

Why in News?  

The Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu & Kashmir, has called for an assembly session on 4th November, 2024, marking a significant legislative moment for the Union Territory. 

Key Points

• The decision was made under Sections 18 and 19 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. This Act governs the functioning of Jammu & Kashmir as a Union Territory since its bifurcation in 2019. 
• Powers of the LG: 
  • Under Article 239A of the Indian Constitution, the LG of a Union Territory has the authority to summon and address legislative assemblies, similar to the powers vested in a Governor for states. 
  • The LG is also responsible for ensuring the smooth conduct of business in the assembly, including the election of the speaker. 
• Procedure for Conduct of Business: 
  • The election of the speaker is scheduled for 4th November, as per Rule 19(1) of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, which governs the legislative assembly's conduct in Jammu & Kashmir. 
• The LG will address the assembly in the opening session, outlining the administrative and policy directions of the government. This is akin to the traditional governor’s address in states, setting the legislative agenda for the new assembly.

Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

• It divided Jammu and Kashmir into 2 Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. 
• It repealed Article 370, which had granted Jammu & Kashmir a unique status. 
• Leh and Kargil districts were included in the Union Territory of Ladakh, while the remaining areas became part of Jammu and Kashmir. 
• Five Lok Sabha seats were retained by Jammu and Kashmir, and one was transferred to Ladakh. 
• Legislature: The seats in the Legislative Assembly will be reserved for tribal and scheduled caste people to keep the proportion intact of their population in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 
  • The Lt. Governors can nominate two women members for the Assembly to represent women if women are not sufficiently represented to justify equality between men and women. 
  • The elected Legislative Assembly will continue for 5 years, and the Lt. or The Governor will summon the Assembly once every six months. 
  • The Legislative Assembly has the right to pass a law for any given part of the Union Territory of J&K related to any of the matters listed in the Indian Constitutions State's List except for the "Police" and "Public Order." 
  • Any matter specified in the Concurrent List will be applied to Indian Union Territories. Furthermore, Parliament will have the decision-making power to create laws for Jammu Kashmir and its Union Territory.