Union territories with and without legislature: How will Ladakh be different from Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation bill passed by Rajya Sabha on Monday aims to redraw the map of the state by bifurcating it into two Union territories. The bill proposes to create a Union Territory for Jammu and Kashmir region and a separate one for the Ladakh region.

But the two UTs will not be the same.

The bill, moved by Home Minister Amit Shah, proposes to introduce Jammu and Kashmir as a UT with legislature, but Ladakh has not been afforded the same luxury.

The proposal signed by Amit Shah says, "There has been a long pending demand of the people of Ladakh to give it the status of a Union Territory to enable them to realise their aspirations."

"Further, keeping in view the prevailing internal security situation, fuelled by cross border terrorism in the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir, a separate Union Territory for Jammu and Kashmir is being created. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir will be with the legislature," it said.

What is a Union Territory?

Union Territory is a small administrative unit that is ruled by the Union. The Union territories are controlled and administered directly by the Central Government. Till date, India had seven UTs - Delhi, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Chandigarh, Daman and Diu and Lakshadweep. Delhi and Puducherry have legislatures, whereas the rest do not.

How it is different from a state?

States are explained as an administrative unit that has its elected government, which has the right to frame its laws. It has its own Legislative Assembly and a Chief Minister, for administration. A state has both Lower and Upper House and representation in Rajya Sabha. A Union Territory is directly controlled by the Centre.

What is the difference between UT with and without legislature?

A Union Territory with a legislature, like Delhi and Puducherry, has its own assembly and elected MLAs. But it does not have a Vidhan Parishad or Upper House. The final decision rests with Lieutenant Governor, appointed by the Centre. A UT, like Chandigarh, without legislator is not represented by elected representatives.

UTs with legislative assemblies have partial statehood.

Difference between Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir

After the bill becomes a law, Ladakh will become a UT directly under the Centre command and Jammu and Kashmir will have partial statehood. Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the government is ready to reinstate full statehood to the regions when the time is right.