Lok Sabha passes Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The Bill will replace Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance of 2021 which merged the Jammu and Kashmir cadre of the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, and Indian Forest Service with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territory cadre, also known as AGMUT cadre.

The President had promulgated the ordinance last month to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

Replying to questions raised by Congress, the Union Home Minister said, ''We were asked what did we do about promises made during abrogation of Article 370. It has been 17 months since the abrogation and you are demanding an account for it. Did you bring the account of what you did for 70 years?

''Had you worked properly, you need not have asked us,'' he said.

Mr Shah asked parties in the House not to politicise the Jammu and Kashmir issue.

He further asked, "People asking questions on development, will they answer what did they do in the past 70 years ?"

Many MPs had raised aspersions over the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 saying the bill would bloack  Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, he said.

Dismissing the claims, Mr Shah said, ''I am piloting the Bill, I brought it. Nowhere it is written that Jammu and Kashmir won't get statehood.

Mentioning about the Panchayat elections in the Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Shah said the polls were peaceful and 51 per cent votes were cast.

He said many departments have been handed over to panchayats.

''We have decentralised power,'' Mr Shah aded.

After the Minister's reply, the Bill was passed.

Earlier, taking part in the discussion, Congress floor leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury asked what was the need for bringing in an Ordinance.

The Congress Member said, it would have been better if the officers were chosen from the local local candidates as they understand the language and culture of the place.