Private member bill proposes administrative reorganisation in J&K

A PDP legislator, Waheed Parra, has submitted to the J&K Assembly secretariat a private member’s bill that proposes a major administrative reorganisation in Jammu and Kashmir, seeking the creation of new administrative divisions and several new districts across the union Territory.

The proposed bill titled Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill, 2026 aims to provide a statutory framework for the creation, reorganisation and rationalisation of administrative divisions, districts, subdivisions and tehsils in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the draft bill, two new administrative divisions, Chenab Division with headquarters at Doda and Pir Panjal Division with headquarters at Rajouri, are proposed in addition to the existing Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The government, the bill proposes, would assign districts to these divisions through official notifications while considering geographical, socio-cultural and administrative factors.

The bill also proposes the creation of several new districts in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions. In Kashmir, the proposed districts include Tral–Awantipora Hill District, Ashmuqam-Pahalgam Hill District, Beerwah District, Sopore District, Handwara District, Gurez District, Tangdhar–Karnah Hill District and Norabad Hill District.

Similarly, in the Jammu division, the bill proposes the creation of new hill districts, including Nowshera, Bhadarwah, Banihal, Thatri, Akhnoor, Billawar, Kotranka and Mendhar.

The proposed legislation states that the government may also create, alter or abolish subdivisions and tehsils while considering population, terrain, accessibility and public convenience.

The bill emphasises consultation and transparency, stating that before any reorganisation notification is issued, the government must consult the concerned District Development Councils and invite public objections and suggestions. A statement of reasons would also be placed before the Legislative Assembly.

According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, large geographical areas, mountainous terrain and regional imbalance have affected administrative efficiency and public service delivery in Jammu and Kashmir, and the bill seeks to promote decentralised governance, equitable development and accessible administration.

The bill also clarifies that it does not involve any immediate financial liability, and any expenditure arising from the creation of new administrative units would be met through existing or future budgetary allocations approved by the Legislative Assembly.

The J&K Assembly, which will resume its budget session from March 27 in Jammu, has earmarked March 30 and April 1 for private members’ bills.