Srinagar, April 07, 2025 – Three bills passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly have been officially assented to by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, marking a significant step in the Union Territory’s legislative process. The development was announced on Monday by Manoj Kumar Pandit, Secretary of the Legislative Assembly, during the ongoing Budget Session 2025, as reported by the Department of Information and Public Relations Jammu and Kashmir.
The bills received the Lieutenant Governor’s approval on March 25, 2025, though their passage through the Assembly occurred earlier during the session. While specific details about the content of the bills were not elaborated in the announcement, their assent signifies the culmination of legislative efforts initiated by the Assembly, which reconvened after the formation of the National Conference-led government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in October 2024.
The Budget Session 2025, currently underway, has been a focal point for the region’s governance, with the Assembly addressing key administrative and developmental priorities. The assent to these three bills by the Lieutenant Governor—who holds significant authority in the Union Territory’s legislative framework under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019—underscores the collaborative process between elected representatives and the LG’s office.
Though the titles and objectives of the bills were not specified in the Secretary’s brief statement, such legislation typically pertains to governance, development projects, or security measures—issues that have dominated Jammu and Kashmir’s political landscape in recent months. The timing of the assent, announced amid Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s ongoing visit to the region, adds a layer of significance, as Shah has been reviewing security and administrative progress during his three-day tour, which began on April 6.
The Legislative Assembly, comprising elected members from the recent polls where the National Conference secured a majority, has been active in its first session since the revocation of Article 370. The bills’ passage and subsequent assent by the Lieutenant Governor signal a functioning legislative mechanism, despite the region’s complex political dynamics. The process also highlights the LG’s pivotal role, as all bills passed by the Assembly require his approval to become law.
Public reaction, as gauged from posts on X, has been one of cautious acknowledgment, with news outlets like Kashmir Despatch and Daily Asian Mail amplifying the update to their followers. The lack of detailed disclosure about the bills’ contents has left room for speculation, though further clarity is expected as the Budget Session progresses. The Assembly’s next steps, including debates on the budget and additional legislation, will likely provide context for these newly enacted laws.
As of 5:55 PM IST on April 07, no additional statements from the Lieutenant Governor’s office or the Chief Minister’s office had been released regarding the bills. The development, however, reinforces Jammu and Kashmir’s evolving governance structure under its Union Territory status, balancing local representation with central oversight.