Constitution

Government Repeals Article 370 of the Constitution in respect of Jammu and Kashmir

05.08.2019

The Central Government announced a historic decision by introducing Bill for repeal of provisions under Article 370 of the Constitution of India granting special status to the state of J&K. Union Minister for Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah, introduced Jammu and Kashmir (Reorganisation) Bill, 2019 firstly in Rajya sabha. The Rajya Sabha has passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019 that seeks to abolish Article 370 and Article 35A of the Constitution of India, 1950 in Jammu and Kashmir which has bifurcated the State into Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Home Minister said that, post the repeal of the Article 370, doors to private investment in J&K would be opened, which would in turn increase the potential for development there and Increased investments would lead to increased job creation and further betterment of socio-economic infrastructure in the state. It will further provide Opening of buying of lands would bring in investments from private individuals and multinational companies and give a boost to the local economy, as opposed to the apprehensions raised by those opposing this historic step.

Subsequently, the Central Government presented the Bill in Lok Sabha wherein the Lower House has passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019. J&K would become a true part of India in letter and spirit once Article 370 of the Constitution is removed. The path to solution to all the problems of Kashmir goes through the repealing of Article 370 of the Constitution. This step would stand strong and would pass the test of legal scrutiny. The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind has signed the Notification to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution making applicable all provisions of the constitution of India to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home Minister assured the House that, if the Union Territory model works well, Central Government would also consider giving J&K the status of state again and no constitutional amendment would be required. The path to solution to all the problems of Kashmir goes through the repealing of Article 370 of the Constitution. This step would stand strong and would pass the test of legal scrutiny. Article 370 of the Constitution was a temporary and transient provision, it had to go.

By the virtue of the said Bill, Ladakh has been separated from Jammu and Kashmir and has become a separate Union Territory without legislature. There has been a long awaited demand from people of Ladakh for making it a separate Union Territory so that development can take place in the region. The Jammu and Kashmir has become a Union Territory with legislature wherein elections will be carried out just like Delhi. The move to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution is a bold and powerful step taken by the Union Government which has been welcomed by the people across India.

Tags : Article 370 Repeal Bill

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