The Rajya Sabha passed Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024; and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 which were passed by the Lok Sabha earlier this week. The Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, moved by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, seeks to provide reservation to OBCs in local bodies in the Union territory. Currently, there is no provision for reservation of seats for OBCs in panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir. The Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, moved by Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, adds Valmiki community as a synonym of Chura, Balmiki, Bhangi, and Mehtar communities in the list of Scheduled Castes in Jammu and Kashmir.
