INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: The central government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it is prepared for elections in Jammu and Kashmir at any time now
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the top court that the process of updating the voters' list is currently underway and substantial
work is completed.The Centre, however, said though steps to revert J-K to a state has already been implemented gradually, it cannot provide
an exact time frame for restoration of statehood to the Union Territory.The call for elections in J-K will be under the jurisdiction of both
the state Election Commission and the Union Election Commission, the Solicitor General informed a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice
of India D Y Chandrachud.SG Mehta told the court that J-K polls will be held in three stages - first at the panchayat level, second
municipal and then legislative assembly elections.04:55Will restore statehood to J-K, Ladakh to remain UT, Centre tells SCNotably, the
elections for the District Development Council have already taken place
Additionally, the upcoming Panchayat elections are scheduled to take place shortly, Mehta said.The elections for Leh Hill Development
Council have concluded, while the elections for Kargil are set to be held in September, he added.Regarding the suspension of ZA Bhat shortly
after he personally argued against the Centre's decision of August 5, 2019, in the Supreme Court, the SG told the SC that "some advice" had
been given to the J-K administration and that he would seek instructions on the latest development on the issue.Earlier on Tuesday, the
central government informed the apex court that the bifurcating of Jammu - Kashmir into the Union territories of Jammu - Kashmir and Ladakh
is a temporary measure and that J-K's status as a Union Territory will eventually be reversed to that of a state in the future when things
The central government's response was conveyed to the court by SG Tushar Mehta, after a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief
Justice DY Chandrachud, heard the pleas challenging the abrogation of Article 370.
