New UTs Of Jammu And Kashmir And Ladakh Come Into Existence

In a historic move, two union Territories of J&K and Ladakh have come into existence today on the birth anniversary of the Iron man of India, Sardar Patel.

Early in the morning, Leh was witness to the swearing in ceremony of R K Mathur as the first Lieutenant Governor of newly carved UT of Ladakh. He was administered oath of office by the Chief Justice of J&K High Court Gita Mittal.

After swearing in as first ever Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Radha Krishna Mathur swung into the action and interacted with the Ladakh administration officials. In a session arranged at District Magistrate’s conference hall, RK Mathur appealed the officials to give commensurate returns to the administration for the funds spent.

Later in the day Girish Chand Murmu took over as first Lieutenant Governor of UT of Jammu & Kashmir.

Meanwhile, Centre has appointed Umang Narula, advisor to the newly-appointed Lt Governor of Ladakh. Umang Narula, a 1989-batch IAS officer, is at present, posted as principal secretary to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, who has since been transferred to Goa.

SS Khandare, a 1995-batch IPS officer, has been appointed Head of Police of the Union Territory of Ladakh with effect from today.The creation of two new UTs of J&K and Ladakh follows a landmark decision by the center to abrogate Article 370 and 35A of the constitution on 5th August this year.

Under the provision, Union Territory will have an elected assembly and Chief Minister on the lines of Puducherry. Ladakh will be a UT on the lines of Andaman and Nicobar, directly governed by Lieutenant Governor. The Legislative Council of the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been abolished. The J&K assembly will be reconstituted after the delimitation of seats. Ladakh will have two Hill councils directly under LG. The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir will be common for both Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. The Scheduled Lists of 106 central laws will be applicable to the two newly carved Union Territories. These include the Aadhaar Act, 2016, the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Right to Education Act, 2009. Bodies such as the SC commission, ST commission and Minority commission will be set up in both the UTs.