Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Not to be confused with Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021
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Parliament of India
Long title An Act to replace an ordinance to merge the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cadre of civil services officers with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre.
Considered by	Parliament of India
Enacted by	Rajya Sabha
Enacted	February 7, 2021 (2021-02-07)
Enacted by	Lok Sabha
Enacted	February 13, 2021 (2021-02-13)
Assented to	February 17, 2021 (2021-02-17)
Signed	February 23, 2021
Signed by	President of India India
Status: In force

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021 is a bill to replace an ordinance to merge the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) cadre of civil services officers with the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Saturday. Introducing 'The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2021', Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy said the government was working to take Jammu and Kashmir on the path to development.

A map of the disputed Kashmir region showing the new Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Around 170 central laws are being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution that gave a special status to the erstwhile state. The government is implementing different development projects and schemes in Jammu and Kashmir. This bill was passed in Lok Sabha today. As per the Statement of objects and reasons annexed to the Bill, "There is a huge deficiency of the officers of All India Services in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The developmental schemes, centrally sponsored schemes and other allied activities suffer due to non-availability of All India Officers in the existing cadres of the Jammu and Kashmir as such there is a requirement of merging it with Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, Union territories cadre so that the officers in this cadre can be posted in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to meet out any deficiency to some extent."

Opposition

Many political parties opposed the bill. Speaking against the bill, Hasnain Masoodi (J&K NC) said this bill is akin to an assault on the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"You are continuously increasing confusion...What is the objective of this bill? ...You are taking Jammu and Kashmir towards uncertainty through this bill," he said, adding appointed officers should have connect with the ground realities.