New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha today passed the resolution to extend the President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir for a period of six months. In addition, the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019, was also passed which aims to provide reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for people living within 10 km of the international border.
The resolution and the Reservation Bill now awaits the official approval of President Ram Nath Kovind. The Lok Sabha had already passed the Bill two days prior.
The Reservation Bill was tabled by Amit Shah on Monday and will go a long way in changing the lives of those who live near the international borders in Jammu and Kashmir. The Bill will help bring development and hope to those Kashmiris who were long neglected in our conflict with Pakistan.
The Home Minister said, “A total of 435 villages in the state including 70 in Kathua, 133 in Samba and 232 in Jammu will be the beneficiaries of the Bill.”
The Opposition had strong objections in using Article 356 to impose President’s rule in Jammu and Kashmir and also postponing the Assembly elections in the State.
Amit Shah said that it was only security reasons that led to the decision to extend the President’s rule in the State for six more months. He replied that BJP with Modi’s popularity was in power in 16 states and did not prefer to rule Jammu and Kashmir through President’s rule.
He also stressed that the government wants simultaneous polls across the country and not just in Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that the state administration recommended the postponement of the elections due to security concerns rising out from Amarnath Yathra and Ramzan. He said that elections will be conducted when the Election Commission decides on it.
