Jammu, March 23, 2026 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Waheed Para has introduced a private member bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly seeking a comprehensive legal framework for the reorganisation of administrative units across the Union Territory.
Titled “The Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill, 2026,” the proposed legislation calls for the creation of new administrative divisions, including a Chenab Division with headquarters in Doda and a Pir Panjal Division with headquarters in Rajouri, alongside the existing divisions.
The Bill also proposes the formation of several new districts in the Kashmir region, such as Tral-Awantipora, Ashmuqam-Pahalgam, Beerwah, Sopore, Handwara, Gurez, Tangdhar-Karnah, and Norabad, aiming to improve governance in geographically challenging areas.
In the Jammu division, it suggests creating new hill districts including Nowshera, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Thathri, Akhnoor, Billawar, Kotranka, and Mendhar to enhance administrative efficiency and regional development.
As per the draft, the government would be empowered to assign districts to Jammu, Kashmir, Chenab, or Pir Panjal divisions through official notifications, ensuring factors like geographical continuity, administrative convenience, socio-cultural cohesion, and balanced growth are taken into account.
The Bill highlights the need to address administrative challenges posed by difficult terrain, large geographic spread, and regional imbalance. It seeks to establish a transparent legislative mechanism for reorganising administrative units to promote decentralised governance and improve public service delivery.
The proposal has been submitted to the Assembly Secretariat for consideration during the ongoing Budget session, which will resume on March 27. Earlier in the session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had presented the Budget, followed by discussions and passage of departmental grants.
The session is scheduled to conclude on April 4, with specific days earmarked for private members’ bills and resolutions.
