Lok Sabha Debates Bill Amending Local Body Laws in Jammu and Kashmir

New Delhi, February 6th: The Lok Sabha engaged in a discussion on Tuesday regarding a bill aimed at providing reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir. The bill also aims to ensure consistency in the local bodies laws of the Union territory with the provisions of the Constitution. Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, introduced the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 for consideration in the House. The bill, which was introduced on Monday, seeks 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. Rai highlighted that certain provisions regarding the state Election Commissioner in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act are inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution. During the debate, National Conference member Hasnain Masoodi criticized the government for not yet setting a date for assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, which is now a union territory following the scrapping of Article 370. Masoodi emphasized that it is concerning that the Supreme Court had to intervene and set a deadline for holding assembly polls in the region. The National Conference has been advocating for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. In his remarks, Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy expressed skepticism about the BJP’s conduct in local body elections and referenced the Supreme Court’s criticism of the mayor election process in Chandigarh. Roy also called for early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir.