Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has recommended the introduction and consideration of a private member bill moved by PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, seeking a statutory framework for reorganisation of administrative divisions, districts, sub-divisions and tehsils in the Union Territory.
According to an official order, issued in pursuance of sub-section (1) of Section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Lieutenant Governor accorded approval for introduction of the Bill styled as “the Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganization Bill, 2026” in the assembly.
The proposed legislation calls for the creation of new administrative divisions, including a Chenab Division with headquarters in Doda and a Pir Panjal Division with headquarters in Rajouri, in addition to the existing divisions.
The bill also proposes the creation of several new districts in the Kashmir division, including the Tral-Awantipora hill district, Ashmuqam-Pahalgam hill district, Beerwah, Sopore, Handwara, Gurez, Tangdhar-Karnah hill district and the Norabad hill district.
In the Jammu division, the bill suggests the formation of new hill districts such as Nowshera, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Thathri, Akhnoor, Billawar, Kotranka and Mendhar for focused administrative planning.
According to the draft, the government will have the power to assign districts to Jammu, Kashmir, Chenab or Pir Panjal divisions through notifications, while ensuring geographical continuity, administrative convenience, socio-cultural cohesion and balanced regional development.
According to the Bill, the objective is to address administrative challenges arising from large geographical areas, difficult terrains and regional imbalance, and to provide a transparent legislative mechanism for the creation of new administrative units to ensure decentralised governance and better public service delivery.
The proposal has been submitted to the Assembly Secretariat for consideration during the ongoing Budget session of the Assembly, which will resume on March 27 after a five-week recess following the conclusion of its first leg held from February 2 to 20.
During the initial phase of the session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the Budget on February 6, while the House passed grants for various departments after detailed discussions conducted in twin sittings each day. The session is scheduled to conclude on April 4.
According to the notified business schedule, March 30 and April 1 have been earmarked for private members’ bills, while March 31 and April 2 are reserved for private members’ resolutions.
