Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act Set for Amendment to Include OBC Reservation

Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act Set for Amendment to Include OBC Reservation

VoM News Desk | December 28, 2023 | 11:12 PM IST | Jammu Kashmir, Politics | Follow on Google News

Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act Set for Amendment to Include OBC Reservation (X@ManojSinha

Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act Set for Amendment to Include OBC Reservation

Under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Administrative Council (AC) approved amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.

The primary focus of these amendments is to introduce a clear definition of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) within the Act, ensuring their reservation in grassroots democratic institutions.

The meeting, attended by Advisor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and Principal Secretary Dr. Mandeep K Bhandari, gave the green light for amending the JK Panchayati Raj Act (Amendment) Bill 2023.

The draft bill was initially submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India. Subsequently, observations raised by the MHA were thoroughly examined, and the revised draft now includes necessary amendments.

The proposed amendments entail defining OBCs for the provision of reservations, outlining procedures for disqualification from membership of the Halqa Panchayat, as well as the suspension and removal of Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch, and Panch by the Government. Additionally, it delineates processes for removal and conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner (SEC).

These amendments aim to enhance the effectiveness of the JK Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 by fostering transparency in the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

Furthermore, they aim to align the Act constitutionally and ensure consistency with practices in other states where reservations have been provided not only to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes but also to the OBCs.

VoM News Desk

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