A People’s Democratic Party legislator has moved a private member bill in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking a statutory framework for the reorganisation of administrative divisions, districts, sub-divisions and tehsils across the Union Territory.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the bill — titled The Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill, 2026 — was introduced by PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para and submitted to the Assembly Secretariat for consideration during the ongoing Budget session.
The proposed legislation calls for the creation of two new administrative divisions in addition to the existing Jammu and Kashmir divisions. A Chenab Division, with its headquarters in Doda district, and a Pir Panjal Division, with its headquarters in Rajouri district, are at the centre of the bill’s reorganisation framework.
The bill further proposes a series of new districts across both existing divisions. In the Kashmir division, the proposed districts include Tral-Awantipora, Ashmuqam-Pahalgam, Beerwah, Sopore, Handwara, Gurez, Tangdhar-Karnah and Norabad — several of which are designated as hill districts. In the Jammu division, the bill recommends the creation of districts such as Nowshera, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Thathri, Akhnoor, Billawar, Kotranka and Mendhar.
Under the draft framework, the government would be empowered to assign districts to any of the four proposed divisions — Jammu, Kashmir, Chenab or Pir Panjal — through official notifications. The bill stipulates that such assignments must ensure geographical continuity, administrative convenience, socio-cultural cohesion and balanced regional development.
Para’s proposal seeks to address long-standing administrative challenges arising from vast geographical areas, difficult terrain and perceived regional imbalances across Jammu and Kashmir. The bill also proposes a transparent legislative mechanism for the creation of new administrative units, with the stated aim of strengthening decentralised governance and improving public service delivery.
The Assembly Secretariat has received the bill for consideration during the Budget session, which is set to resume on March 27 after a five-week recess. The session’s first phase ran from February 2 to 20, during which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the Budget on February 6 and the House passed departmental grants in extended sittings.
As per the notified business schedule, private members’ bills are slated for March 30 and April 1, while private members’ resolutions are reserved for March 31 and April 2. The session is scheduled to conclude on April 4.
Proposed Administrative Divisions & Districts of Jammu & Kashmir
As envisioned under the J&K Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill, 2026 — moved by PDP MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Para
- Srinagar
- Baramulla
- Anantnag
- Pulwama
- Kupwara
- Budgam
- Ganderbal
- Kulgam
- Bandipora
- Shopian
- Tral-Awantipora Hill
- Ashmuqam-Pahalgam
- Beerwah
- Sopore
- Handwara
- Gurez
- Tangdhar-Karnah
- Norabad Hill
- Doda
- Kishtwar
- Ramban
- Bhaderwah
- Thathri
- Banihal
- Rajouri
- Poonch
- Mendhar
- Kotranka
- Jammu
- Samba
- Kathua
- Udhampur
- Reasi
- Nowshera
- Akhnoor
- Billawar
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The Chenab Times News Desk
