Lok-Sabha’s Approval of Vital J-K Bills, Home Minister Shah to Present in Rajya Sabha

Lok-Sabha's Approval of Vital J-K Bills, Home Minister Shah to Present in Rajya Sabha

Asif Iqbal | December 11, 2023 | 10:35 AM IST | Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

Lok-Sabha’s Approval of Vital J-K Bills, Home Minister Shah to Present in Rajya Sabha

Lok-Sabha’s Approval of Vital J-K Bills, Home Minister Shah to Present in Rajya Sabha

Lok Sabha approved two significant bills, paving the way for the nomination of two Kashmiri Pandits, including a woman, and one Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) refugee to the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory (UT). Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to introduce these bills in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow.

Following their introduction, the Rajya Sabha members will engage in a debate, with the Home Minister providing a reply before the motions are passed. Despite the BJP falling a few seats short of a majority in the Rajya Sabha, the government is expected to face no obstacles as it enjoys the support of several allies.Upon approval by the Rajya Sabha, the bills will proceed to seek the assent of the President of India.

Once granted, these bills will become law, granting the nominated individuals the right to participate in the Legislative Assembly during elections and when the House is constituted.While the Lok Sabha has five members from Jammu and Kashmir, only one member, Ghulam Ali Khatana (Nominated), represents the Union Territory in the Rajya Sabha and will speak on the proposed legislations.

Jammu and Kashmir has four seats in the Rajya Sabha, all of which became vacant in March 2021 after the completion of the six-year term of the MPs, including former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. The seats remain vacant due to the absence of Assembly elections in the Union Territory.The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023, proposes the nomination of two Kashmiri Pandits and one PoJK refugee to the J&K Assembly.

Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in J&K, replacing the existing four percent reservation for Other Social Castes (OSCs). The bill also suggests changing the nomenclature to OBCs, with the percentage of reservation to be determined during implementation.

After the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023, receives the President’s approval, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly’s effective strength will increase to 95, with a total strength of 119, including 24 seats reserved for PoJK. The bill will also grant voting rights to all five nominated MLAs.While the exact percentage of reservation for OBCs is yet to be decided, it is expected to be in the double digits, addressing a long-standing demand for reservation in government jobs and educational institutions for OBCs.

The government also plans to introduce the Women Reservation Bill for Jammu and Kashmir in the current parliamentary session. The bill proposes reserving 33 percent of the total 90 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly for women, approximately 29-30 seats. Within this allocation, some seats may be reserved for SC women and ST women. Currently, the House has nine seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and seven for Scheduled Castes (SCs). Upon passing the Women Reservation Bill, approximately 45-46 seats will be reserved in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly.

Furthermore, two bills related to Jammu and Kashmir, introduced during the Monsoon session of the Parliament, remain pending. One pertains to granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Pahari Ethnic Tribe, Paddari Tribe, Gadda Brahmans, and Kolis. The other seeks to include Valmikis in the list of Scheduled Castes.

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Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.