Ladakh Gets its First L-G as J&K is Bifurcated Into Two UTs

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 came into effect at midnight, 31 October.

State Jammu and Kashmir has officially transitioned into 2 union territories.

(Photo: PTI)

The nation, on Thursday, 31 October, woke up to the historic bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories – Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh – as the The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, came into effect on midnight.

Early in the morning, Radha Krishna Mathur was sworn-in as the lieutenant governor (L-G) of Ladakh. Later in the day, GC Murmu will take over the post for Jammu and Kashmir.

The bifurcation of the state also marked the end of President's rule imposed in the undivided Jammu and Kashmir.

The central rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir in June 2017 after resignation of then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti when the BJP withdrew support to the PDP-led goverment.

Article 356 of the Constitution, under which President's rule is imposed in a state, is not applicable in Union Territories.

Other appointments announced were ahead of the official date, with IAS officer Umang Narula being made advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, while Inspector General SS Khandare was appointed as the police head of the new Union territory.

The Centre’s decision to bifurcate the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories came with the announcement of the abrogation of Article 370, which granted a special status to the erstwhile state of J&K.

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be one with an Assembly, while Ladakh will not have an Assembly. It is said that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will work on a model similar to Delhi.

Even after the official bifurcation, however, the rules to govern Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019 are yet to be notified.