news details |
|
|
| Distribution of assets between J&K, Ladakh UTs caught in official wrangles | | | Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Mar 15: Even after seven months confusion prevails over the distribution of assets between the two newly carved Union Territories, J&K and Ladakh. The Centre had divided the erstwhile J&K State into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019.
“The government departments have been unable to complete the formalities to distribute assets between the two newly carved out Union Territories,” sources told Early Times.
Ministry of Home Affairs had formed a three-member committee headed by retired IAS officer and former Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra for distributing the assets and the liabilities between J&K and Ladakh. The committee was given six months to submit its report.
The Finance Department had written to departmental heads including public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies to conduct audit up to October 2019.
Recently an order issued by the government stated: “While progress has been achieved emphasis need to be laid on expediting the process particularly in view of the fact that advisory committee would need annual accounts for the purpose of apportionment of assets and liabilities between Union Territory of J&K and Ladakh.”
An official of Finance Department said most departments have failed to submit the audit reports. “The committee will decide over division of assets and liabilities between two UTs once the departments submit audit reports,” the official said.
The official said the failure in submitting audit reports has also led to confusion over distribution of assets between two Union Territories.
The erstwhile J&K State had six properties in Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Mumbai, which will be divided between the two union territories. These include the Kashmir House on Delhi’s Prithviraj Road and the J&K House in Chanakyapuri.
“Deliberations are going how these properties which are prime real estate will be apportioned,” the official said.
The official said the committee will also take a decision over division of other assets such as PSUs, universities, hydro-power plants and other institutions in two UTs.
As per Section 84 of the Act, the assets and liabilities of the erstwhile State have to be apportioned between the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
“The committee has been tasked to ensure both UTs get a fair share,” the official said.
It has to look into aspects like area, population, remoteness and backwardness while distributing assets.
The physical assets also include around 10,000 vehicles in J&K and arms and ammunition for the police. “The arms distribution will be need based. More arms will be provided to Kashmir as there is very less need in Ladakh,” sources said. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
