Rules for administration in J&K

Why in news?

• The Union Home Ministry on Friday notified new rules for administration in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

Major Points from the rule:

• It primarily specifies the functions of the Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) and the Council of Ministers.
• Under the rules, there will be 39 departments in the UT, such as school education, agriculture, higher education, horticulture, election, general administration, home, mining, power, Public Works Department, tribal affairs and transport.
• The Council of Ministers, led by the Chief Minister, will decide service matters of non-All India Services officers, proposal to impose new tax, land revenue, sale grant or lease of government property, reconstituting departments or offices and draft legislation.
• Police, public order, All India Services and anti-corruption will fall under the executive functions of the L-G.
• In case of difference of opinion between the L-G and a Minister, when no agreement could be reached even after a month, the decision of the Lieutenant Governor shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Council of Ministers.
• The rules also say that proposals or matters which affect or are likely to affect the peace and tranquillity of the UT or the interest of any minority community, the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the Backward Classes "shall essentially be submitted to the Lt Governor through the Chief Secretary, under intimation to the Chief Minister, before issuing any orders.
• According to the requirements of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, fresh elections will be held after the delimitation exercise is completed next year and the UT will have new legislature.

PRELIMS QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding new rules for administration in Jammu and Kashmir:
1.All India services will fall under the power of Lieutenant Governor as per the rules.
2.In case of a difference of opinion between council of ministers and Lieutenant Governor, the views of the former will prevail.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a)1 only
(b)2 only
(c)Both 1 and 2
(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Answer to prelims question