New Delhi: Nearly seven months after the re-organisation of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday ordered division of Kashmir House between J&K and Ladakh Union Territories.
Kashmir House is located in New Delhi’s Chanakyapuri.
The MHA today ordered that it has decided to go for interim apportionment of J&K House, till a high-level committee headed by former Defence secretary Sanjay Mitra submits its final report. Headed by Sanjay Mitra, the panel also comprises of Arun Goyal (retired IAS officer) and Giriraj Prasad Gupta (retired Indian Civil Accounts Service officer).
The MHA communique to J&K government, reads that difference of opinion have emerged between the newly carved out UTs over the apportionment of the assets of J&K Government at New Delhi.
The interim report submitted by the panel was shared by the MHA with both the UTs for their comments.
Interestingly, JK’s total population nears 1.2 Cr (120 lakh) while Ladakh’s total population does not exceed 3 lakhs.
As per the arrangement, main entrance from Kautilya Marg of Jammu and Kashmir Bhawan, New Delhi is to be given to the Union Territory of Ladakh along with adjacent Block-A (with 10 rooms and 4 suites), old Block-B (with 14 rooms and 3 suites), 16 type-B staff quarters and 8 Type C-staff quarters.
While the second entrance will remain with UT of Jammu and Kashmir along with adjacent New Block-B (with 24 rooms), Block-C (with 21 rooms and 7 suites) and 10 Type-A staff quarters.
In the letter, the MHA has stated that “there is an urgent need for apportionment of certain amenities of J&K Bhawan at Chanakyapuri.”
The arrangement will remain in place till a final decision is taken on the final recommendations of the high-level committee set-up by the MHA last year.
Under section 85 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the Central government has established the panel for the apportionment of the assets, rights and liabilities of the companies and corporations constituted for the existing State of J&K between UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh.
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