This Friday, the Rajya Sabha approved three bills concerning Jammu and Kashmir with a focus on promoting inclusivity and welfare for different communities. One of the bills aims to officially include the Pahari Ethnic Community in the Union Territory Scheduled Tribes category. The bills that were presented and successfully passed by the Rajya Sabha consist of the 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.
The Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, put forth by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai aims to introduce reservations for Backward Classes (OBCs) in bodies within Jammu and Kashmir. Currently, there are no provisions for OBC seat reservations in panchayats and municipalities in this region.
Moving forward, the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to expand the list of Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir by adding four communities: Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe well, as historically significant Pahari Ethnic Group.
The third bill, known as the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which was proposed by Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar, aims to promote inclusivity. It acknowledges the Valmiki community as being equivalent to the Chura, Balmiki, Bhangi, and Mehtar communities in the Scheduled Castes list for Jammu and Kashmir.
This legislative effort aligns with the commitment to create a more representative and equitable governance structure in Jammu and Kashmir. The bills address historical gaps in reservation provisions, ensuring broader participation and recognition for various communities in the region. The comprehensive amendments signify a crucial step towards fostering inclusivity and social justice in the Union Territory.
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