New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has increased the powers of the Lieutenant Governor in Jammu and Kashmir. An important move by the central government is to amend the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. President Draupadi Murmu approved the amendment under Section 55 of the Act.
With this, the Lt. Governor will have crucial powers in matters relating to appointments of police, All India Service officers, advocates and other legal officers.
The Lt. Governor can authorize prosecution of cases and decide on matters related to the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
The central government has announced that the assembly elections will be held soon in Jammu and Kashmir and the crucial powers are being handed over to the lieutenant governor. Even if the legislature is in place, the amendment will make the final decision on matters including law and order and appointment of officials rest with the governor.
The notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs also clarified that the Lt. Governor does not need the prior consent of the Finance Department to exercise his powers in matters related to Police Public Order, All India Service and Anti-Corruption Bureau.
It is now up to the Lieutenant Governor to approve the recommendations submitted by the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister for the appointment of legal officers, including the Advocate General. The Lt. Governor will now have special powers in matters relating to sanction of prosecution, granting of appeals, prisons, Directorate of Prosecution and Forensic Science Laboratory.
In matters relating to the recruitment of IAS cadre, transfer and appointment of Administrative Secretaries, the Chief Secretary or the concerned Department shall submit a proposal to the Lt. Governor. Home Ministry sources explained that there is nothing new in the amendment. The authorities have clarified the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.
Manoj Sinha has been the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir since August 2020. Even if the government of the opposition parties comes to power in the assembly elections, it is the interest of the central government that the control of the matters related to security should remain in its hands. The government also aims to ensure that the central position on the Kashmir issue is fully followed at the bureaucratic level as well.
