RDD amends Rules

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 17: As a sequel to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issuing Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization (Adaptation of State Laws) Fourth Order, the Rural Development Department today carried out amendments in Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Rules, 1996.
In the Rules, a new Chapter has been incorporated and entire process for carving out 14 territorial constituencies in each district of the Union Territory for constitution of District Development Council has been defined.
Similarly, procedure has been defined for holding election of members of the territorial constituencies, Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of District Development Council by incorporating one more Chapter.
It has also been mentioned that election of the members of the District Development Council will be held by secret ballot.
Moreover, Rule 3 of the Rules has been amended to pave the way for holding of elections of Panches and Sarpanches under State Election Committee instead of Chief Electoral Officer.