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

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies in the Union territory with the Opposition pressing the government to specify a broad timeline for holding assembly elections.

Replying to a brief debate on the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the people of Jammu and Kashmir have started enjoying the fruits of development ushered in by the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

Currently, there is no provision for OBC reservation in panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir. The bill seeks to provide reservation to OBCs in panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir and bring consistency in the local body laws of the Union territory with the provisions of the Constitution.


During a discussion on the bill, the Opposition demanded the government specify a time frame for conducting assembly polls. NCP's Supriya Sule said: "We don't want a vague answer from the government on holding assembly polls and giving statehood to the people of Jammu and Kashmir... The government could at least give a tentative timeline for holding the exercise."