Reorganisation Act adverse to promise of statehood: MP Masoodi

Srinagar: Stating that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is quite different than portrayed, Member of Parliament Hasnain Masoodi Saturday maintained that the 2021 Reorganisation Act is “unconstitutional” while 80 per cent of the District Magistrates the erstwhile state are outsiders.
Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi, stood against the Jammu and Kashmir reorganization (Amendment) Act 2021 which aims to merge the J&K cadre with Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram Union Territory (AGMUT).
Addressing the House, Hasnain Masoodi said that the reorganisation is a “violation” and an “undemocratic and unconstitutional” decision on August 5 in 2019 wasn’t less than a “war” against the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have decided to fight it decently and in this regard, around 15 petitions were filed in the Supreme Court,” he said. “The decision is under judicial security in India’s top constitutional court to see whether it’s right or not, since the August 5- 2019 decision is no less than constitutional assault.”
He said that the bill (Reorganisation 2021) is part of the implementation process that has already started.
“What if the SC constituent bench says the first step is unconstitutional and the interpretative clause has been used as substantive changes without consulting the state,” Masoodi said.
Masoodi said the merger of J&K cadre with AGMUT goes against the promises made by the Home Minister of India from the floor of this house about the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.
“If the statehood is to be restored then what’s the need to make 93 amendments,” he asked. “This signal isn’t going out good since you know what is happening on the ground in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“Nearly 400 civilians have been killed in a year, 100 encounters have surfaced with 20 armed encounters in urban areas, while there is no development,” Masoodi said.
He stated that in the case of administrative deficiency, officers from outside J&K used to come on deputation.
“Around 80 per cent of the district magistrates are outsiders and it (Bill) won’t improve the administrative efficiency since the officer must-have understanding of native problems including the topography,” he said.
Masoodi said that with this decision, the union government is taking Jammu and Kashmir towards uncertainty since all that being claimed isn’t the ground reality.
“For 550 days union government didn’t dare to restore the high-speed (4G) mobile internet service and there is nothing in tourism,” he said.
He also said that the government have started to import fruit from outside to disempower locals while sand mining has become a big racket now in the valley.
Pointing at Home Minister, Masoodi said that he must fulfil all the promises made on August 5, 2019, and restore the 4 August 2019 position.
“Why should the government look at the J&K from a different eye and why should there be any kind of discrimination,” Masoodi said while highlighting the provisions enjoyed by the northeast states.
“Jammu and Kashmir have always contributed to the nation,” he said. “The government should not implement anything which is constitutionally suspect,”