Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 18: Although terming the abolition of the Institution of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council as unfortunate in view of its important role in this sensitive state, JKPCC chief spokesperson Ravinder Sharma however, questioned under which provision it was continued till yesterday, as it constitutionally stood abolished on the day the Article 370 was abrogated and the constitution of India extended to the State as a whole.
Reacting to the abolishing of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Council in the State as quite ‘unfortunate’ in view of its important and historical role in this sensitive state, JKPCC chief spokesperson said that this Upper House existed in six other states too, where as its necessity may be lesser in those states as compared to J&K State. He reminded that it was Upper House which protected the women rights to inherit property in the state in the year 2004,by rejecting a bill passed by the Assembly, besides several other historical roles, being a House of Elders.
However, he questioned under which provision this House continued to exist till October 17, post abrogation of Article 370 and even part of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was also reportedly released, which is contrary to law and the constitution, he viewed and said that probably it was done to please BJP members who were in majority in Upper House. He sought a clarification from the Government and reaction from constitutional experts on this aspect of the matter, as he had already raised this issue on September 6, 2019 but Government remained mum. He said that Article 168 of the Constitution of India is crystal clear and did not provide for the Legislative Council in this state.
Sharma said that he is on a different question of the Constitution but otherwise, abolishing this institution is very unfortunate in view of its importance in this politically volatile state. Always in the past, this institution has played a very important role in the state, he claimed and should have been kept intact. He regretted that the State Assembly has been reduced to a powerless body while the Upper House has been abolished without any reason while abrogating Article 370.
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