LS passes Bill to give OBCs quota in J&K local bodies

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which is aimed at providing reservation to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the panchayats and municipalities in the Union Territory.

The Bill, supported by all parties, was passed by a voice vote in the House. It seeks to amend certain provisions of 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 Acts) in consonance with the provisions of the Part IX and Part IXA of the Constitution.

Piloting the Bill, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said that the Bill is aimed at providing rights to the Other Backward Classes in J&K.

He also said the Constitution provides that the State Election Commissioner can only be removed through the process prescribed for removal of a High Court Judge, but in case of Jammu & Kashmir, this power has been given to the Lieutenant-Governor. Through this amendment Bill, this ambiguity is being removed, he said, commending the Bill for consideration of the House.