BJP president Amit Shah along with two of his deputies on Saturday took charge of the Home Ministry and among others who met him was Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik, indicating at the importance attached by the new incumbent to the State, wherein the BJP has promised to abolish Article 370 and Article 35 A.
While Article 370 allows the State a separate flag and constitution, the other provision allows the State legislature to define “permanent resident” of the State.
Assuming charge two days after getting sworn-in, Shah tweeted, “The security of the country and the welfare of the countrymen is the top priority of the Modi Government, I will make every effort to complete it.”
Governor Malik said after meeting Shah that he briefed the Minister about the situation in the State and circumstances. His meeting also assumes significance as the annual Amarnath Yatra commences later this month and the home ministry plays a key role in terms of providing additional security personnel to secure the yatra route and thwart any threat from the terrorists.
Besides Malik, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam and Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao met Shah separately during the day. Uttrakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat also met Shah.
As regards Jammu and Kashmir, Shah will be keenly watched as he had promised during election rallies in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls that if voted hack to power the NDA Government will annul Article 370 and Article 35A. However, it is easier said than done as the NCP and PDP are opposed to the annulment of the two acts.
Shah will also be under the microscope on his stand on illegal migration as during the election rallies he had said “illegal immigrants are like termites. They are eating the grain that should go to the poor, they are taking our jobs.”
Shah was briefed about the internal security situation and other issues by Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and other key officials including Intelligence Bureau chief Rajiv Jain. Joint secretaries of 19 divisions of the ministry also gave presentations to the new Home Minister, it was learnt.
Two newly appointed ministers of State for Home - GK Reddy and Nityanand Rai - who too took charge on Saturday, also attended the meeting.
Earlier in the day, Shah was given a warm welcome at the North Block office of the Home Ministry by Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Intelligence Bureau chief Rajiv Jain and other senior officials.
Officials also said the new home minister’s immediate task would be handling the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, which is under the President’s rule, and the situation that may arise after the publication of the final National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Assam.
