Governor to Lt Governor? Satya Pal Malik Likely To Preside Over UTs Of J-K, Ladakh After October 31st

On November 1st, the state of Jammu and Kashmir will become history. The clauses of abrogation of Article 370 that trifurcated the state on August 5 will come into effect from next month. With several names doing the round, it looks like Governor Satya Pal Malik will continue to officiate the administration of the new Union Territories, albeit in a new role. According to a report by The Hindustan Times, Malik will look after the new UTs ad Lt Governor. The report says that even though there are several names doing the round for the top job, Malik may continue to work as Lt Governor for some time. He has also reportedly met the leadership in Delhi.

The 73-year-old was appointed as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir in 2018. At that time, the state saw the tension and subsequent collapse of the coalition government in the state. After bitter war of words, the PDP-BJP alliance tethered away. According to HT report, even though the J&K Reorganisation Act  has provision for two Lt Governors, it is very much possible that the Centre may give the responsibility to just one person for both UTs. From November 1st, the police administration will come under the Union Home Ministry.

Meanwhile, Amit Shah-led Union Home ministry on Tuesday announced that government employees of the new Union territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- will get salaries and other benefits as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission from October 31. The Home Ministry has issued the necessary orders in this regard.

Shah has approved the proposal of payment of all 7th CPC allowances to the government employees of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Union Territory of Ladakh, which shall come into existence from October 31, an official statement said. The move will benefit 4.5 Lakh government employees who are working in the existing state of Jammu and Kashmir and will become the employees of UT of Jammu and Kashmir and UT of Ladakh from October 31, it said.

Also Read: 'Hum Andar Jayenge': J-K Governor Satya Pal Malik's Open Warning To Pakistan

On August 5, the central government had announced the abrogation of the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and its bifurcation into UTs.