Jammu: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs is in discussions with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh to fix residential norms for the people of two Union Territories, which was part of erstwhile State of J&K till August 5 when they were bifurcated by the Central Government through Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act.
Various political parties, social organizations and individuals in both the Union Territories have repeatedly been raising the demand for domicile law to fix residential norms for purchase of land as well as recruitment in the Government jobs. The Central Government has repeatedly assured the two Union Territories that it will shortly come out with land norms as well as protection of recruitment for the locals.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs in response to a joint question by Velusamy P and Shanmuga Sundaram K in the Lok Sabha, said in order to fix the residential norms for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh regions, synergized adaptation of various relevant laws of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir are being discussed with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh.
“The norms will be announced under Section 96 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019,” the MHA said.
Discussions, according to sources, were in final stages and an announcement by the Union Home Ministry could be made soon for both the Union Territories of Ladakh. However, the Government could exempt the industry, their staff, Central Government officers/officials, their families, security personnel serving in Jammu and Kashmir and some other categories from the purview of residential norms.
“Things will be clear when the residential norms are finally released by the Central Government,” sources said. (KNT)
