New Delhi
The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill that seeks to scrap Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir, while also bifurcating the state into union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
The Bill was passed by the Upper House through a voice vote, with 125 being in favour and 61 against it and there was also one abstention.
Now, the separate constitution of Jammu and Kashmir ceases to be in operation in the state, all provisions of Indian constitution will apply to J&K. The constituent Assembly of J&K will now read legislative assembly of Jammu and Kashmir.
Article 35(A), making a distinction between the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir and the outsiders, will also cease to have any effect.
This means that purchasing land and owning property by people, considered outsiders till now, would be possible. And any Indian citizen can now settle in Jammu and Kashmir.
The new union territory with legislature will now be at par with all other Indian states. The sectors of education and employment will open up to all Indians without any discrimination that article 35(A) brought utilizing the clause of permanent residents.
The separate Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) will give way to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sadar-i-Riyasat will refer to Governor of J&K.
The status of Jammu and Kashmir police cadre will be redefined. They may be included in Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Islands Police Service (DANIPS) or may be granted a separate status.
Other important changes will be:
Dual citizenship of the state will end.
Any Indian citizen can buy property in Jammu and Kashmir.
Any Indian citizen can settle in Jammu and Kashmir.
Central quota laws in jobs & education will apply to Jammu and Kashmir too.