Jammu, Mar 26: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved the introduction of a private member bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly seeking a statutory framework for reorganisation of administrative divisions, districts, sub-divisions and tehsils in the Union Territory.
The bill, moved by PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, has been cleared under sub-section (1) of Section 36 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, as per an official order. Titled “The Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganization Bill, 2026,” it will be taken up for consideration during the ongoing Budget session.
The proposed legislation seeks creation of new divisions, including a Chenab Division with headquarters in Doda and a Pir Panjal Division with headquarters in Rajouri, alongside existing divisions.
It also proposes several new districts in Kashmir division such as Tral-Awantipora, Ashmuqam-Pahalgam, Beerwah, Sopore, Handwara, Gurez, Tangdhar-Karnah and Norabad, while in Jammu division, new hill districts including Nowshera, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Thathri, Akhnoor, Billawar, Kotranka and Mendhar have been suggested.
As per the draft, the government will have powers to assign districts to Jammu, Kashmir, Chenab or Pir Panjal divisions through notifications, ensuring geographical continuity, administrative convenience, socio-cultural cohesion and balanced regional development.
The bill aims to address administrative challenges arising from vast geographical areas and difficult terrain, while ensuring decentralised governance and improved public service delivery through a transparent legislative mechanism.
The proposal has been submitted to the Assembly Secretariat for consideration in the Budget session, which resumes on March 27 after a five-week recess. The session, which began on February 2, will conclude on April 4.
During the first phase, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the Budget on February 6 and the House passed departmental grants after detailed discussions. As per the business schedule, March 30 and April 1 are earmarked for private members’ bills, while March 31 and April 2 are reserved for private members’ resolutions. (Agencies)
