J&K Govt finalising Business Rules

Jammu, Nov 26: The J&K government is still engaged in the finalisation of ‘Business Rules’, congruent to the administration of its Union Territory (UT) status.

“Exercise is still underway. It has not been completed yet. I don’t know how the media is reporting about the notification being anticipated (from the Ministry of Home Affairs) very soon. There is nothing like this. This is not in my knowledge. I cannot comment anything further on that account as that is beyond my jurisdiction,” a senior J&K officer stated, while responding to Greater Kashmir queries about reports anticipating MHA notification vis-a-vis J&K Business Rules soon.

The officer, who wished anonymity, further elaborating upon related queries on this account, said, “Yes, the J&K Government has constituted a committee in this connection. It is still engaged in its job. Rest all reports are based on conjectures.”

“Exercise to frame Business Rules congruent to UT administration was imperative after an elected government took over the reins to clear confusion on account of division of powers. Business Rules of (erstwhile) State don’t match with the present setup or more appropriately not compatible with the present setup (UT). The powers of the Lieutenant Governor were clearly defined in the MHA notification in July this year. At present, confusion does persist about the powers of the Chief Minister, cabinet, Ministers and Administrative Secretaries,” a senior leader of National Conference and former minister, who too preferred not to be quoted, stated, giving a backgrounder to the entire exercise.

“The premise of Business rules, being framed, will be Business Rules of other Union Territories. Since J&K UT is based on the Pondicherry (Puducherry) model our Business Rules are being framed after studying their rules. Besides clearly defining the powers of the Chief Minister and ministers, they (new Business Rules) will also remove ambiguity about the hierarchy in the bureaucracy along with powers,” the NC leader said. Notably, the majority of powers and functions are defined in the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019.

However, ambiguity erupts where there is an overlapping of powers of the new government and bureaucratic set-up, related to transfers, recruitment rules, creation of posts and green-light to various projects.

“To my knowledge, either the exercise to frame (new) Business Rules would have been completed or would be in its last phase. A committee was working on it in a proactive manner. Deliberations on this account were going on,” he said.

As the J&K government is actively pursuing the issue related to the restoration of statehood with the Centre, then what will be the rationale of new ‘Business Rules’ congruent to its (J&K’s) UT status?

Responding to this query, the former minister said, “Once statehood is restored then old Business Rules are likely to be in place. But as long as it is not restored, new Business Rules are required to clear any obstruction in the way of smooth functioning of administration.”

“As far as statehood is concerned, this is a solemn commitment of the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, reiterated recently to the Chief Minister as well, so I believe, there is no doubt on that account. That will happen. The J&K Government is actively pursuing this matter with the Centre. If not in a month or two, it may happen in the next five or six months. But till then, the UT government must have its own Business Rules to facilitate the functioning of the administration,” the NC leader pointed out.