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| J&K = 22 districts | | J&K will have 22 districts, 8 more than existing 14 | | Srinagar,July 06 : "Keep yourself abreast with general knowledge and those interested in current affairs must make a note; reason: instead of fourteen (14) the state of Jammu and Kashmir will now comprise of 22 districts".
Eight new districts, three sub divisions and 14 tehsils were created along with setting up of Delimitation Commission for creating new assembly constituencies, a Finance Commission and sub committee of State Cabinet for reviewing situation on Human Rights here on Thursday in a landmark decision taken by Ghulam Nabi Azad-led-coalition government.
Soon after an extensive meeting of state cabinet chaired by him, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told a packed news conference that both Kashmir and Jammu divisions will get four new districts, thus modifying the recommendations of Wazir Commission–which had suggested creating three new districts in Jammu and only one in Kashmir 30 years back.
Divulging details Azad said that Kishtwar, Samba, Reasi and Ramban will be new district in Jammu province while as Bandipore, Kulgam, Ganderbal and Shopian will be carved out as new districts in Kashmir Valley.
Terming the decision as historical he said that much has changed since Wazir Commission had given its recommendations. "Those recommendations (Wazir commission) had come 30 years back and there has been a lot of change since then," he said. Azad said that the coalition government was for the equitable share and development in all the three regions of the state.
Stating that the new decision was arrived at unanimously in the cabinet meeting he said: "What we decided today is part of the Common Minimum Programme (CMP) formulated by coalition government in 2002".
Consequently, the cabinet also accorded sanction to three new administrative sub divisions in Khan Sahib (Budgam), Gandoh (Doda) and R S Pura ( Jammu) along with 14 new tehsils in the state.
Observers pointed out that Chief Minister GhulamNabi Azad went one step ahead what was demanded by President of the Peoples democratic party Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed and recommended by Wazir Commission.
Replying to a question about the escalation in human rights abuses in the restive region he said that his government has taken a major decision of constituting a cabinet sub committee which will review the recommendations of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) and will take stock of situation from time to time. "While the government is committed to fight extremism at all levels but at the same time we are concerned about loss of human lives and do not want killing of civilians at the hands of police or security forces", he said. "Constitution of sub committee speaks about seriousness of government about human rights" he added.
In Azad's view the infiltration from across the LoC had increased and troops are facing a major challenge.
He also announced that Delimitation Commission would be appointed which would look into the issue of increasing assembly seats. Its terms and references are yet to be laid down but 25 seats will be enhanced proportionate to the existing number of 87 assembly seats in the state. He said that Finance Commission, which would lay down norms for equal distribution of resources of three regions of the state, will also be set up soon. "For this a Bill will be passed in the coming assembly session beginning July 28", he informed.
Besides a Police Reforms Commission, the state government also announced to constitute a committee which will make a detailed study of employment oriented development programmes. "This we are doing to tackle the major problem state is facing on account of unemployment", Azad said. He said that noted scientist M S Swaminanthan will be Advisor to the government in this behalf. |
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