Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory now : Govt scraps Article 370

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The Union Home Minister Amit Shah today informed Parliament that the Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gives special status to J&K, will be abrogated.

The Home Minister also introduced J&K reorganisation bill in the Rajya Sabha for restructuring the state. With this bill, the state of Jammu and Kashmir would be bifurcated as Union Territories (UTs).

Important Note : 

• Jammu and Kashmir would become a Union Territory (UT) with a Legislature. A UT with a legislature, like Delhi, has a partial statehood status, an elected CM and a council of ministers. Lieutenant Governor in such a UT acts on aid and recommendation of council of ministers but doesn't need their approval on every matter.
• Ladakh will be a different Union Territory (UT) without a Legislature. A UT without a legislature, like Chandigarh, is ruled directly by Centre and doesn't have a CM.

The Union government will have the Law and order powers of policing in the new UTs. The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill says that the demand for creation of Union Territory of Ladakh has been a long-pending demand of people of Ladakh. 

"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 legislature," the bill read.

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