Srinagar: Pending assent by the Governor, a new law having life span of only one year is on the horizon to provide legal cover to thousands of unauthorized structures in the twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu besides Katra town against forcible action by any local authority.
However, before the all important nod to the new legislation, NN Vohra, the Governor of the state has sought clarification about need for such a law with only few months left in the present tenure of the ruling alliance of National Conference and Congress in the state.
After having examined pros and cons with top officials of Law Department on Tuesday, Vohra held a meeting with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with the latter calling on him at Raj Bhavan Jammu.
According to an official spokesman, Abdullah briefed Vohra about various important matters which had been decided in the Budget Session of the Legislature.
“The Governor stressed the need, interalia, of ensuring prompt further action and effective enforcement in respect of certain Bills which had been passed by the Legislature,” the spokesman said, adding, “The Governor and Chief Minister also discussed issues relating to internal and external security management.”
However, sources told Kashmir Reader that the meeting was primarily called regarding the new legislation on the illegal structures.
On Tuesday, the Governor is learnt to have received minute details from the officials of Law Department regarding the urgency to have the new legislation which if enacted would be known as Jammu and Kashmir Civic Laws (Special Provisions) Act, 2014.
The Bill has been already forwarded by the Law Department to Raj Bhavan after both Houses passed it recently.
Before his assent, the Governor is learnt to have sought details about the long-terms implications of various provisions of the Bill as well as the details of the High Power Committee including eminent bureaucrats, planners and citizens to go into depth of the reasons for the unauthorized constructions, suggesting remedial measures including devising mechanisms for the regulation of building activities in these cities.

Reader correspondent