Srinagar, Sep 10: The revised Transaction of Business Rules for Jammu and Kashmir are still awaiting finalization, nearly two years after the elected government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah assumed office, with the issue continuing to figure among the pending matters between the J&K Government and the Centre.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on September 7 said he remained in constant communication with Union Home Minister Amit Shah over several pending issues concerning Jammu and Kashmir, including approval of the Business Rules. He said the matter was among the issues being discussed with the Centre.
The issue was also raised during Omar Abdullah’s meeting with Amit Shah in New Delhi on September 4. According to the Chief Minister’s office, finalization of the Transaction of Business Rules was among the matters discussed during the meeting.
Sources said the revised rules are intended to provide greater clarity on the functioning of the elected government, including the allocation of administrative business and the respective roles of the Council of Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor under the Union Territory framework.
The J&K Cabinet had earlier approved the proposed revised rules and responded to queries raised regarding the draft. Sources said the Cabinet’s response was subsequently sent back through the prescribed channel, but the revised rules have not yet been notified.
Insiders told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the delay has kept several aspects of the division of administrative responsibilities under discussion, particularly in matters where the powers of the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor intersect.
The issue also assumes significance in relation to the functioning of the bureaucracy, as the Business Rules are intended to lay down the procedure for allocation and transaction of government business and for dealing with matters involving different authorities.
Sources said the absence of finalization has resulted in continued correspondence and consultations between the J&K Government and the Centre on issues concerning the functioning of the administration.
Omar Abdullah had earlier indicated that the lack of clarity in the existing arrangement had affected the functioning of the government. The Chief Minister has continued to raise the matter with the Union Government, with the latest discussion taking place during his September 4 meeting with Amit Shah.
The Business Rules remain one of several issues currently being discussed between the J&K Government and the Centre, alongside restoration of statehood, reservation-related matters and appointment of an Advocate General.
As of today, no formal notification announcing final approval of the revised Transaction of Business Rules has been issued. [KNT]
