Which clause of the J&K Reorganisation Act 2019 specifies the duration of the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir?

The correct answer is Clause 20.

Key Points

• The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, was enacted to reorganize the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Clause 20 of the Act specifies the duration of the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• According to Clause 20, the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir shall have a term of five years unless sooner dissolved.
• This term is consistent with the duration specified for legislative assemblies in other states and Union Territories in India.

Additional Information

• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019
  • The Act was passed by the Parliament of India on 5th August 2019 and came into effect on 31st October 2019.
  • It bifurcated the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir with a Legislative Assembly, and Ladakh without a Legislative Assembly.
  • The Act was a significant step in the abrogation of Article 370 and Article 35A of the Indian Constitution.
• Article 370
  • Article 370 granted special autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • It allowed the state to have its own constitution and limited the Indian Parliament's legislative powers in the state.
  • The provisions of Article 370 were abrogated by the Government of India in August 2019.
• Union Territory
  • A Union Territory is a type of administrative division in India, governed directly by the Central Government.Union Territories have a Lieutenant Governor appointed by the President of India.
  • Some Union Territories have a Legislative Assembly and Council of Ministers to aid and advise the Lieutenant Governor.
• Legislative Assembly
  • The Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the state legislature in India.
  • Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are elected by the people through direct elections.
  • The Assembly is responsible for making laws on matters enumerated in the State List and Concurrent List.