Jammu And Kashmir No Longer a State, J&K And Ladakh Become Separate Union Territories on 144th Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Srinagar, October 31: Jammu and Kashmir was officially split into two Union Territories (UT) - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh - from midnight of Thursday. According to the government notification, following the creation of two UTs, the President's rule imposed in undivided Jammu and Kashmir has been revoked. Girish Chandra Murmu, Senior IAS Officer, Arrives in Srinagar to Take Over as 1st Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir After Abrogation of Article 370 and Bifurcation of J&K.

The Home Ministry in a notification on Wednesday replaced the state of Jammu and Kashmir with the "union territory of Jammu and Kashmir". The two new Union Territories have come into existence on the 144th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Today, October 31, is also celebrated as National Unity Day. Article 370 Revoked From Jammu and Kashmir, Amit Shah Makes Historic Announcement Proposal in Parliament While Introducing J&K Reservation Second Amendment Bil.

From now on, the laws passed by the Parliament will be applicable to Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Article 370 which was abrogated in August, prevented the automatic application of such laws in Jammu and Kashmir.

With the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, the number of states in India has come down to 28 and the number of Union Territories has gone up to nine. While Jammu and Kashmir will continue to have a legislature, Ladakh will be without one.

Girish Chandra Murmu, the Union Expenditure Secretary, will take oath as Jammu and Kashmir's first Lieutenant-Governor. According to sources, no political leader will attend the oath-taking ceremony. Meanwhile, K. Vijay Kumar, Advisor to outgoing Governor Satya Pal Malik, on Wednesday said his tenure has come to an end and thanked everyone for their support. Defence Secretary Radha Krishna Mathur was sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh. The current Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik has been transferred to Goa.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019, the districts of Kargil and Leh form Ladakh and the rest make up the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir will have its own Legislative Assembly with an increased number of seats.  The tenure of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly will be five years compared to six years earlier. The Legislative Council of Jammu and Kashmir stands abolished.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 31, 2019 08:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).