Not considering any changes to permanent residency rules in Jammu and Kashmir: Governor

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Sunday said that he was not considering changes to the permanent residence rules in the state after National Conference chief Omar Abdullah rang alarms about it. In a letter to Governor Malik, Abdullah said that his party would oppose any move to change the procedure of granting permanent resident certificates (PRCs).

"At the outset, I would like to mention that the government is not making or even considering any changes to the act governing permanent resident certificates in the state. It is an integral part of the legal structure of Jammu and Kashmir and there is no attempt whatsoever to tamper with this law," Malik said in his letter addressed to Abdullah.

Also Read | Kashmiri Pandits rally in support of Sharda Peeth Corridor to PoK

The Article 35A of the Constitution grants special rights and privileges to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and empowers the Legislative Assembly to define the state’s permanent residents. The Article 35 A was added by a presidential order in 1954 through Article 370 of the Constitution. Currently, the Supreme Court is hearing a batch of petitions seeking to repeal the the law.

Earlier on Sunday, Abdullah had written to the Governor that “as for the matters in the rest of your letter, I would like to highlight that no changes in the procedural rules governing the issue of PRCs will ever be done without larger consultations with all stakeholders.”

 Also Read | Farooq Abdullah threatens to boycott Lok Sabha, assembly elections over Article 35-A

However, the Governor said, "In view of the concerns expressed by you, I will assure you that nothing will be done to modify the procedures for issuing PRCs." He further advised the former chief minister of not paying heed to such “frivolous and unfounded” reports and promote unnecessary mistrust among.