SRINAGAR: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para has introduced a private member’s bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly proposing a structured legal framework for reorganisation of administrative units across the Union Territory.
The proposed legislation titled The Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill, 2026 seeks creation of additional administrative divisions, including a separate Chenab Division with headquarters at Doda and a Pir Panjal Division with headquarters at Rajouri, alongside the existing Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
The bill also proposes formation of several new districts in the Kashmir division, including Tral–Awantipora Hill District, Ashmuqam Hill District, Beerwah, Sopore, Handwara, Gurez, Tangdhar–Karnah Hill District and Norabad Hill District. In Jammu division, proposed districts include Nowshera, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Thathri, Akhnoor, Billawar, Kotranka and Mendhar, with many categorised as hill districts to address administrative challenges in difficult terrain.
As per the draft, the government would be empowered to notify allocation of districts among Jammu, Kashmir, Chenab and Pir Panjal divisions while ensuring geographical continuity, administrative feasibility and balanced regional development.
The bill aims to tackle governance challenges arising from vast geography and uneven development by introducing a transparent mechanism for creation of new administrative units to strengthen decentralisation and improve service delivery.
The proposal has been submitted to the Assembly Secretariat during the ongoing Budget Session, which is scheduled to resume on March 27. The session will conclude on April 4, with specific days reserved for private members’ bills and resolutions. (KNC)
