Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Council abolished

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government issued formal orders on Thursday for abolition of legislative council and opening of new administrative secretariat in Ladakh under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, which was passed in August.
Through this legislation the central government revoked the special status granted to J&K and bifurcated the state into two Union territories of J&K and Ladakh.

The government issued orders under section 57 of J&K Reorganisation Bill stating that all the staff members of the legislative council should report to the general administration department. J&K legislative council, with a strength of 36 members, was created in 1957 following adoption of a new constitution by the state constituent assembly and passing of the Legislative Councils Act in Parliament.

These legislations created a bicameral legislature for J&K. Political parties across the spectrum used the council to adjust and rehabilitate their senior members and prominent party supporters. This also allowed party members who lost elections to enter the power structure and grab ministerial posts despite losing.

J&K legislative council members remained in office for six years and comprised 22 elected by the state assembly, two members elected from local authorities, two from panchayat constituency and J&K governor would nominate eight members from eminent persons from various fields. The government order said all the vehicles purchased for the council were transferred to state motor garages.