NEW DELHI — The government on Monday introduced a bill in the Lok Sabha to provide for reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai tabled the The Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeking to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989; the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000; and the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000.
The Bill aims to provide OBC quota in the panchayat and municipal polls besides mandating that the removal of State Election Commissioner should be in a manner and on the like grounds as a judge of a High Court.
Sources said the government intends to pass the bill in the last session of this Lok Sabha.
The Bill seeks to bring consonance with the provisions of the Constitution and the existing laws governing local body elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
At present, there is no quota for OBCs in Jammu and Kashmir panchayats and municipalities.
Also, the municipal polls are conducted by the Chief Electoral Officer under the Election Commission and not by the State Election Commission.
The new Bill mandates that the municipal polls are also conducted by the State Election Commission like the panchayat elections. — (Agencies)