Future J&K CM to play second fiddle to LG

SRINAGAR: The future chief minister of J&K will have to practically get all legislative proposals vetted by the lieutenant governor before even tabling them in the assembly, according to a 36-page set of rules notified by the Centre for transaction of business by the Union Territory administration.
The move to curtail the powers of the CM extends to any kind of policy-making that can potentially impact the Hindu minorities and Dalits. Rule 50 in Chapter IV of the document notified on Friday states that the LG "shall refer to the central government every legislative proposal" in key areas, including "cases which affect or are likely to affect the interests of any minority community, Scheduled Castes or Backward Classes".
In all matters pertaining to "public order, police and IPS officers", the principal secretary of the home department would need to seek the governor's sanction through the chief secretary. Proposals for the appointment of the chief secretary and the DGP will also have to be routed through the LG, who will take a call in consultation with the Union home ministry.
The President will have the final say should differences crop up between the LG and the council of ministers. Any contentious decision taken by the cabinet and referred by the LG to Rashtrapati Bhavan will remain suspended till such time the President acts on it.
A senior functionary of a regional party claimed the new rules had reduced anyone occupying the CM's chair to an executive head "without any authority to even choose one's daily menu".
"I am seriously thinking of quitting politics. What's the point of staying put if you cannot even help the people who elect you?"
Another top political functionary said he feared that stripping the CM of all powers would increase the distance between the Valley and the Jammu region.