Union Government on Monday introduced a bill in the Parliament to grant reservation to other backward classes in Panchayats and municipalities and to empower the State Election Commissioner to conduct urban local bodies in the Union Territory.

The Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai. The bill seeks to amend three laws- Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Act, 2000 and Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000- governing election and functioning of local bodies in the UT.

According to details, the bill seeks to provide reservation to other backward classes at different levels in Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipalities.

The bill also empowers the State Election Commission to conduct municipal polls in the Union Territory instead of the Chief Electoral Officer who was empowered to do so earlier.