PDP MLA Waheed Para Moves Bill to Create New Divisions and Districts in Jammu & Kashmir
JAMMU, March 23, 2026 – In a significant legislative move aimed at overhauling the administrative landscape of the Union Territory, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Para has introduced “The Jammu and Kashmir Territorial Administrative Reorganisation Bill, 2026” in the Legislative Assembly.
The private member’s bill proposes a statutory framework to reorganize administrative divisions, districts, sub-divisions, and tehsils to address long-standing regional imbalances and governance challenges posed by difficult terrain.
Central to the proposal is the creation of two entirely new administrative divisions: the Chenab Division, with its headquarters in Doda, and the Pir Panjal Division, headquartered in Rajouri, which would function alongside the existing Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
The ambitious legislation outlines the creation of several new districts across both provinces to enhance public service delivery and decentralized governance. In the Kashmir division, the bill suggests the formation of Tral–Awantipora, Ashmuqam, Norabad, and Tangdhar–Karnah as Hill Districts, alongside new districts in Beerwah, Sopore, Handwara, and Gurez.
Similarly, the Jammu division would see the establishment of new districts in Nowshera, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Thathri, Akhnoor, Billawar, Kotranka, and Mendhar. Many of these proposed units are designated as “Hill Districts” to facilitate specialized administrative planning tailored to geographically challenging areas, ensuring that socio-cultural cohesion and geographical continuity remain at the forefront of the reorganization process.
The draft bill empowers the government to officially assign these districts to their respective divisions through formal notifications, emphasizing a transparent legislative mechanism over ad-hoc administrative decisions.
Currently submitted to the Assembly Secretariat, the bill is slated for consideration during the ongoing Budget Session, which is set to resume on March 27 following a five-week recess.
With March 30 and April 1 specifically earmarked for private members’ bills, the proposal comes at a crucial time as the House returns from its initial phase, where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah previously presented the Budget.
The session is scheduled to conclude on April 4, making the upcoming week a decisive period for this proposed administrative restructuring.