The names of states have been changed many times in the country. Last Thursday, at the launch of the book titled Jammu-Kashmir and Ladakh: Historical Account of Continuity and Affiliation, Home Minister Amit Shah said that Kashmir is named after Maharishi Kashyap. After this it is being speculated that the Central Government may change the name of Kashmir. But do you know who has the right to change the name of the state.
Who can change the name of the state?
According to the Indian Constitution, the Parliament of the country has the right to change the name of any state. Let us tell you that Article 3 of the Constitution of India gives the Parliament the power to change the name of any state. According to the information, Article 3 of the Constitution determines the procedure for changing the area, boundaries or name of a state.
How can the name of the state be changed?
Let us tell you that if the Central Government has to change the name of the state, then it has to follow the rules of the Constitution. Let us tell you that the process of changing the name of any state starts from the Assembly or Parliament. For example, if the state government wants to change the name of its state, then the government has to pass a resolution in the assembly. After which this proposal is sent to the Central Government. Not only this, after this the central government decides whether the name of the state will be changed or not. If the Central Government gives approval, then it is mandatory to obtain NOC from several agencies including Home Ministry, Intelligence Bureau, Survey of India, Postal Department and Registrar General on the instructions of the Centre.
The central government also has to get the bill passed in the House.
According to the information, if the Central Government approves the proposal of any state, then the process is taken forward. To change the name of a state, the government has to pass a bill in both the houses. Only after the bill is passed in the Parliament, it is sent to the President for final approval. After getting the consent of the President, a notification to change the name of the state can be issued. As easy as it is to read, it is not that easy. This entire process takes several months or even years.
Reason for changing name has to be given
Let us tell you that for changing the name of any state or district, a concrete reason behind it has to be given. It is noteworthy that the last major change in the process of changing the name was made in 1953. At that time, the then Deputy Secretary of the Home Ministry, Sardar Fateh Singh had sent a letter to the state governments. According to the rules, only the proposal to change the name of the state can be raised in the State Legislative Assembly.
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