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Under the Article 356 (4) of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha has approved the extension of  President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir for 6 months. Significantly, the period of President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir is coming to an end on July 2, 2019. Now the period of President's rule will increase from July 3, 2019 for 6 months.

Background

• In June 2018, the Bharatiya Janata Party withdrew its support from the PDP, which led to the fall of PDP government, led by Mehbooba Mufti in Jammu and Kashmir.
• After this the governor's rule came into effect in the state.
• After 1996, President's rule came into effect for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Since the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir is different, therefore, according to section 92 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir, the governor's rule applies for 6 months due to the state's statutory machinery is not functioning.
• After the governor's rule for 6 months, there is no other system for furthering it in Jammu and Kashmir's constitution, so after the expiry of the governor's rule, President's rule was implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Election Commission has said in its statement that assembly elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir this year under Article 324 of the Constitution.
• Dates for this will be announced after the conclusion of the Amarnath Yatra in August 2019.
• The Election Commission has consistently observed the situation of Jammu and Kashmir.

President's Rule

• According to Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, if the government is not being operated in accordance with the Constitution, then the President can declare President's rule in the said state.
• This decision is taken as a result of the failure of constitutional machinery in the state.
• President's rule can be imposed for 6 months at a time, later with the consent of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
• This period of President's Rule can be extended to maximum 3 years.