SRINAGAR: Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Satya Pal Malik has been speculated to be appointed as the first Lieutenant Governor of the Valley.
According to media reports, the union government feels that the 73-year-old Malik is the best available choice to preside over both UTs–J&K and Ladakh as he understands the current scenario well.
The proposal was made ahead of J&K’s reorganisation of the state into Union Territories (UTs) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh, that will come into effect on October 31, according to people aware of the developments.
However, there has been no formal communication in this regard.
“There has been some discussion on who will be best suited for the position; whether it will be a politician or a former bureaucrat. The final decision will, however, be taken by the Prime Minister’s office in consultation with the [Union] home and defence ministries,” a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) functionary quoted as saying to Hindustan Times.