The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — In a significant development for Jammu and Kashmir, the Rajya Sabha on Friday passed two bills aimed at fostering social inclusion and political representation in the Union Territory.

The first bill, the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, received approval to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Panchayats and Municipalities. Additionally, it empowers the State Election Commission to conduct Urban Local Bodies polls, a task previously held by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai on February 5, the bill was swiftly cleared by the Rajya Sabha via voice vote today, marking its immediate implementation.

Simultaneously, the Rajya Sabha endorsed the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which grants scheduled tribe (ST) status to Paharis and three other communities in the region. This bill, passed three days after its approval in the Lok Sabha, includes Paharis, Paddaris, Gadda Braman, and Koli communities in the Scheduled Tribes list of J&K.

The passage of these bills signifies a significant step toward inclusive governance and representation in the Union Territory. Both bills were cleared without contention.

The State Election Commission is now tasked with overseeing civic polls, ensuring fair representation for all segments of the population in local governance. This move underscores efforts to strengthen democratic processes and promote social equity in Jammu and Kashmir.

The administration has reiterated that the ST status granted to Paharis will not impact existing reservations for other tribal communities, including Gujjars and Bakarwals.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha affirmed on February 6, 2023, that the inclusion of these communities in the Scheduled Tribes list will not diminish current reservation levels. He assured that necessary notifications would be issued to ensure equitable reservation provisions for all eligible communities.

SRINAGAR — In 2023, the Parliament passed key bills to grant political reservation to different groups in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.

Details available with the news agency KNO reveal that three J&K-specific laws were passed by the Parliament during the winter session to grant reservations to different groups in the Union Territory.

In a significant move, the Parliament passed The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2023 to reserve three seats for Kashmiri migrants and refugees from 'Pakistan-Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (POJK)'.

While the Union Government claimed that the bill is aimed at preserving the political rights of these communities as well as for their overall social and economic development, the political groups in Kashmir questioned the method of nominations, saying it can be used to subvert public mandate in the UT. The bill empowers the Lieutenant Governor of the UT to nominate these MLAs.

Another key bill — The Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill 2023 — was also passed by the Parliament to reserve 33 per cent of seats in J&K Assembly for womenfolk. The bill was passed given the fact that “The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill 2023 does not apply to the Assembly of Jammu & Kashmir UT.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill provides reservation for womenfolk in Parliament and State assemblies. The Bill wouldn’t come into effect at least before 2029 as it would require a delimitation exercise, which can be taken after the census report is published.

Apart from 33% reservation for womenfolk, J&K LG is also empowered to nominate two women as MLAs if he feels that they are not adequately represented in the House.

The Parliament also passed The Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill 2023 to rechristen “weak and underprivileged classes (social castes)" to "Other Backward Classes".

The amendment was made on recommendations of the Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission (SEBCC).

JAMMU — The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha approved carrying out amendments in Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 to incorporate the definition of OBCs in the Act to ensure their reservation in this grassroots democratic institution.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.

Earlier, the draft J&K Panchayati Raj Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 was submitted to MHA, GoI and observations raised by MHA were examined and necessary amendments have been incorporated in the revised draft J&K Panchayati Raj Act (Amendment) Bill.

The Amendment Bill proposes the incorporation of the definition of OBCs for providing reservation for the Other Backward Classes, explaining a method of disqualification from membership of Halqa Panchayat, suspension and removal of Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch and Panch by the Government. It also defines the process for removal and conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner (SEC) here.

The proposed amendments aim to make the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 more effective by ensuring transparency in the functioning of PRIs, constitutional alignment & consistency with practices in other states where reservation has been provided to the OBCs apart from the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

SRINAGAR — A bill to extend the provisions of the women's reservation law to Jammu and Kashmir was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

As per details available with the news agency KNS, the bills introduced by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai were the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Second Amendment) Bill and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha.

The bill seeks to enable greater representation and participation of women as public representatives in law-making processes in the legislative assemblies of Jammu and Kashmir.

Officially known as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, the women's reservation law seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The law will take some time before being implemented as the next census and the subsequent delimitation exercise -- redrawing of Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies -- will ascertain the particular seats being earmarked for women.

The quota for women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies will continue for 15 years and Parliament can later extend the benefit period.

SRINAGAR — Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented two crucial bills, the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. These bills have already received clearance from the Lok Sabha, underscoring the government's commitment to address and enhance the socio-political landscape of the region.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, aims to bring about targeted modifications to the existing reservation policies in the region. While specific details of the amendments are yet to be disclosed, the move is anticipated to address issues related to equitable representation and opportunities for diverse communities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Simultaneously, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, proposes adjustments to the framework implemented during the reorganization of the erstwhile state in 2019. The reorganization, which resulted in the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories—Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—was a watershed moment in the region's history.

As these bills make their way through the parliamentary process, they have already received approval from the Lok Sabha, indicative of a broad consensus among Members of Parliament on the necessity of these amendments.

The proposed changes are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future trajectory of Jammu and Kashmir, with an emphasis on inclusive development and governance.

The introduction of these bills by Union Home Minister Amit Shah signals a proactive approach by the government in addressing the unique challenges and aspirations of the people in Jammu and Kashmir.

The subsequent discussions and debates in the Rajya Sabha will further illuminate the nuances of these legislative proposals and their potential impact on the region.

SRINAGAR — The Women's Reservation Bill, which seeks to provide one-third of the reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, was taken up in the Rajya Sabha for its approval on Thursday.

After the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with 454 votes in favour and 2 votes against, the Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill in the Upper House.

Meghwal said this bill will promote women's empowerment in the country. He said this is also an important step towards making India a developed nation in the Amrit Kaal. “33 per cent reservation for women belonging to SCs and STs will also be provided within the existing quota and for this census and delimitation are essential,” he said.

The Women’s Reservation Bill, also called Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, will pass in Rajya Sabha unanimously, BJP leader J P Nadda expressed confidence.

“Women always had an important role in Indian culture. The Bharatiya Janata Party does not want to take a political advantage but aims at empowering women. In the last nine years, the Narendra Modi government has made several decisions for the empowerment of women,” said Nadda.

Congress leader Ranjeet Ranjan, while supporting the Bill and questioning its delay in bringing it to the Parliament, said that women’s representation in Parliament should go up.

SRINAGAR — In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has expanded the social caste list by including 15 new classes to it.

In a notification, a copy of which is in possession of the news agency KNO, the Jammu & Kashmir Government has included 15 more classes into its social caste category list.

Under the Jammu & Kashmir Government’s reservation rules, social castes have four percent reservation in government jobs.

The new classes added are Waghey (Chopan), Ghirath/Bhati/Chang community, Jat community, Saini community, Markabans/Ponywalas, Sochi community, Christian Biradari (converted from Hindu Valmiki), Sunar/Swarankar Teeli (Hindu Teeli along with already existing Muslim Teli), Perna/Kouro (Kaurav), Bojru/Decount/Dubdabay Brahmin Gorkans, Gorkhas, West Pakistani refugees (excluding SCs) and Acharyas.

It has also made certain modifications to the existing social castes by subsisting their names. According to the notification, potters (Kumahars), shoe repairers (working without the aid of machines), Bangies Khakrobes (Sweepers), barbers, washerman and Dooms have been respectively replaced by Kumahars, Mochi, Bangies Khakrobes, Hajjam Atrai, Dhobi, and Dooms (excluding SCs).

The social caste list has been redrawn on the recommendations of the Jammu and Kashmir Socially and Educationally Backward Classes Commission which was constituted by the J&K Government in 2020. Former High Court Judge, G. D Sharma heads the three-member panel.

The other significant change made in the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules is that the words "Pahari Speaking people (PSP)" has been subsisted with "Pahari Ethnic people".

SRINAGAR — After addressing a massive public rally at Rajouri, Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Srinagar on Tuesday evening, officials said here.

Official sources told the news agency KNO that senior civil and police officers, besides BJP leaders received Amit Shah at the Srinagar international airport.

They said that Shah is staying at the Raj Bhavan for the night, where LG Sinha will host dinner. Shah will fly back to Delhi tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, sources told KNO that Shah is also likely to announce the regularisation of daily wagers working in various departments in the UT.

Amit Shah, who is on a 3-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, is scheduled to address a public rally in Baramulla tomorrow.

Shah, as per the sources, will also chair a security review meeting which will be attended by LG Manoj Sinha, senior officers of police, central armed police forces (CAPFs) and officers of various intelligence agencies.

Gujjar, Bakarwal, Pahari communities to get reservations soon, says Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday said that Paharis will get reservation along with Gujjar Bakerwals as the Justice Sharma Committee has recommended reservation for Paharis, Gujjars and Bakerwals and it will be accepted.

He also said just three families used to rule Jammu and Kashmir but now the power is with 30,000 people elected to Panchayats, District Councils of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering here at Rajouri district of Jammu region, the HM Shah said that today's rally and the slogans in favour of the BJP are an answer to those who used to say that if Article 370 is abrogated, there will be a bloodbath.

"After Article 370 abrogation, reservation benefits are being given to Dalits, backwards and those living in hills. Pahadi seats increased after new election delimitation," he said.

He said that earlier, all money sent by the Centre for Jammu and Kashmir's development was usurped by a few but now everything is spent on people's welfare.

"After the abrogation of Article 370, the process for reservation has been cleared," he said, adding that Justice Sharma's commission has sent the report and recommended reservation for Gujjar, Bakarwal and Pahari communities and it will be given soon.

He also said that the deaths of security personnel came down from 1,200 per year to 136 this year due to the Modi government's strong action against militants.