CHANDIGARH India: Through a special ordinance issued by President Zail Singh Jammu and Kashmir State was placed under Presidents rule for the first time. This announcement was made on September 6 on the completion of six months rule of the Governor. According to the notification the State Governor will carry out the administration under directions from the President.

The State legislative assembly was suspended through a notification issued six months ago by the Home Ministry of India. The Assembly will continue to be suspended.

The Presidential ordinance says that the task of governance cannot be carried out under the State Constitution as indicated by the report of the Governor as well as the information collected from reliable sources in the State. The ordinance further states that the President assumes all powers of the State under section 356 of the Constitution. All legislative functions of the State Assembly will henceforth be performed by the Parliament. To introduce Presidents rule certain sections of the Indian Constitution and State Constitution have been suspended. It is for the first time that Presidents rule has been imposed on the expiry of Governors rule. Though Presidents rule has been imposed on the recommendation of the State Governor Mr. Jag Mohan yet it is a well-known fact that Mr. Jag Mohan was in favor of extending Governors rule. When Centre did not agree to the extension in Governors rule Mr. Jag mohan recommended Presidents rule.

All State parties with the exception of Congress (I) and Dr. Farooq Abdulla’s National Conference have condemned the imposition of Presidents rule in the State. They are demanding dissolution of the suspended State Assembly and fresh elections so that popular government could be established. Dr. Abdulla is also demanding democratic government in the State but he has refrained from commenting on the President rule. He did talk of dissolution of the State Assembly but at the same time he said that his dialogue with the Centre would continue.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 12, 1986