Parliament enacts Jammu and Kashmir local bodies bill amid no legislative assembly

This Bill amends three existing laws in Jammu and Kashmir to extend reservation benefits to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local body elections and to replace the Chief Electoral Officer with the State Election Commission as the authority for conducting these elections.

Who it concerns: The Bill affects the local governance bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically Panchayats, Municipalities, and Municipal Corporations. It also impacts the State Election Commission, the Lieutenant Governor, and candidates or voters belonging to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.

What the bill does

• Extends reservation provisions in the Panchayati Raj Act, Municipal Act, and Municipal Corporation Act to include Other Backward Classes (OBCs) alongside Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
• Substitutes the term 'Chief Electoral Officer' with 'State Election Commission' in the Municipal and Municipal Corporation Acts.
• Substitutes 'District Planning and Development Board' with 'District Development Council' and 'District Panchayat Officer' with 'Assistant Commissioner of Panchayat' in the Panchayati Raj Act.
• Specifies that the salary, allowances, and conditions of service for the State Election Commissioner are to be determined by the Lieutenant Governor.
• States that the State Election Commissioner can only be removed in the same manner and on the same grounds as a High Court Judge.
• Grants the State Election Commission powers to require information, give directions to government officers, delegate powers, and determine municipal boundaries.
• Applies specific sections of the Panchayati Raj Act (regarding the State Election Commission) to the Municipal Act and Municipal Corporation Act.

Also in the document

• The Bill is enacted by Parliament because the Legislative Assembly of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is not in existence, pursuant to a proclamation under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.
• The Bill amends the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000, and the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000.