The Parliament has given its nod to the resolution seeking an extension of President rule in Jammu and Kashmir for a further period of six months with effect from 3rd July 2019 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today. Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was also passed by Parliament with Rajya Sabha approving it today. Both the resolution and the bill have already been passed by the Lok Sabha. The reservation bill proposes to give three percent reservation in educational institutions and government jobs to people living within 10 kilometers of the International Border in Jammu. A total of 3.50 lakh population of 435 villages will be benefitted through this amendment.
Replying to a debate on the resolution and the bill in the Rajya Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah affirmed that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and it can not be separated. The Home Minister said, it is a matter of appreciation that the whole House is unanimous on the problems related to the State. He said, the government is moving on the vision of Kashmiriyat, Jamhuriat and Insaniyat and it wants simultaneous development of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh without any disparity.
He gave out a stern message through Parliament that those who want to break the country will be given befitting reply. He said, the government has adopted the policy of zero tolerance against terrorism and also listed out the measures taken up to eliminate the menace.
Replying to queries for not holding Assembly elections with the Lok Sabha, Mr Shah said, it would have been difficult to provide security to the large number of candidates in Assembly polls as compare to candidates to six Lok Sabha seats in the State. He said, whenever, the Election Commission would like to hold Assembly polls in the State, the Centre will be ready for this without any delay. The Home Minister also appealed to the West Bengal Government to maintain peace in the State as the political killings are not good for the democracy and such incidents must be stopped.
Earlier, moving the resolution and Bill, Mr Amit Shah said that the government has no other option but to further extend President’s Rule in Jammu and Kashmir for six months as the Election Commission wants to hold Assembly elections in the state by the end of 2019. He said, Election Commission held consultations with Jammu and Kashmir Administration and all the political parties and keeping in view of religious event and security situation, the Commission intended to conduct the assembly polls by the end of this year.
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