Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 10: Representatives of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Jammu and Kashmir today expressed disappointment over the government decision to conduct the upcoming elections of Panchayats and Municipal Corporations/Committees as per the roster notified by the J&K UT Chief Election Office (CEO).
In this regard, a delegation comprising the members of OBC Commission today submitted a charter of their demands to the Chairman, State Election Commission of India, Jammu.
In the representation, the OBC leaders submitted that the previous government, prior to the formation of the present government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, had amended the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation/Committees Act, 2000 and the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 to provide reservation for OBCs in proportion to their population.
They stated that the amendments were made keeping in view Articles 243D (6) and 243T (6) of the Constitution of India and in line with landmark judgments of the Supreme Court.
Following these amendments, the erstwhile government constituted the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Dedicated Backward Classes Commission in 2024 to conduct the “Triple Test” for determining OBC reservation in local bodies.
The commission reportedly submitted its report to the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory on February 27, 2025 after the formation of the political government.
The representatives have urged the government and the Chief Election Office to prepare a revised election roster incorporating reservation for OBCs before conducting the Panchayat and Municipal Corporation/Committee elections, so that adequate representation is ensured in local self-governance institutions.
Among others who were the part of delegation included Bansi Lal Choudhary, Faquir Chand Satia, Kewal Fotra, Manohar Lal Tidyal, Mohan Lal Pawar, Chaman Lal Mehra, Ghulam Hassan Sheer Gujri, Mohd Shabir, Balwant Katria, Arjit Kumar, Raj Kumar Chalotra, Kasturi Lal Basotra and Jagdish Raj.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
