The Lok Sabha has taken up the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for consideration and passing. This bill aims to make changes to 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 main purpose of the legislation is to provide reservation to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the Panchayats and Municipalities in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It also aims to align the local bodies’ laws of the Union territory with the provisions of the Constitution. This bill is significant as it intends to bring justice to the citizens of OBCs in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time since India’s independence.
Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, while moving the bill, highlighted that OBCs were previously overlooked in Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasized that after the abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir is progressing towards development, and the OBC community will now receive reservation in local bodies through this legislation. Rai also pointed out the need for the State Election Commission to have the power to prepare and conduct local body polls, which is currently with the Chief Electoral Officer as per existing law. Under the provisions of the bill, this power will now be transferred to the State Election Commission of Jammu and Kashmir.
During the discussion, Jasbir Singh Gill of Congress expressed support for the OBC quota in local bodies but also demanded provisions for the representation of minority Sikhs. He stressed the importance of financial autonomy for local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir. Jugal Kishore Sharma described the bill as historic and criticized the Congress, National Conference (NC), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for not adequately addressing the concerns of the OBC community in the Union territory.