Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar, Dec 11 (KNS): In a significant development, the Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023. The bills had already received approval from the Lok Sabha on December 6, marking a crucial step in the legislative process.
The atmosphere in the Upper House became intense as the Opposition chose to stage a walkout before the voice vote, expressing their dissent.
Both bills, aimed at making changes to the reservation policy and the administrative structure in Jammu and Kashmir, were passed on the same day that the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional validity of the Executive Order that revoked Article 370 of the Constitution.
The passage of these bills signifies a significant step in the government's efforts to bring about reforms and redefine the political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier in the day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented these two bills, the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha.
The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to bring about targeted modifications to the existing reservation policies in the region. While specific details of the amendments are yet to be disclosed, the move is anticipated to address issues related to equitable representation and opportunities for diverse communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Simultaneously, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, proposes adjustments to the framework implemented during the reorganization of the erstwhile state in 2019. The reorganization, which resulted in the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—was a watershed moment in the region's history.(KNS)