SRINAGAR: The number of electorates in Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir has increased from 57.32 lakh in 2018 to around 68 lakh after the latest revision, leading to expectations of an increase in the number of Panchayats by around 700, totaling to approximately 4900, along with a rise in Panch segments by about 5000.
The surge in voters necessitates the establishment of new Panchayats, adhering to population thresholds outlined in the Panchayati Raj Act, the Daily Excelsior reported here.
To accommodate this growth, the Rural Development Department is poised to conduct delimitation exercises, a preliminary step already initiated. Concurrently, the Social Welfare Department is tasked with establishing a Commission to determine the percentage of reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in Panchayats.
This initiative follows the recent expansion of OBC categories from 27 to 42, with the reservation expected to mirror OBC population proportions.
Given the prevailing Model Code of Conduct, the government intends to seek permission from the Election Commission authorities to constitute the Commission for OBC reservation. Once approved, the Commission will formulate the reservation percentage, subsequently guiding the delimitation process and rotation of reserved Wards. Elections will proceed after the completion of these procedural formalities.
The delay in Panchayat and Municipal elections, initially scheduled for October-November last year, stemmed from the need to incorporate OBC reservations and rectify voter discrepancies.
Also, the Block Development Councils are overdue for elections, aligning with the Panchayat term. However, the District Development Councils remain in session until January 2026, having been established in early 2021 following inaugural elections held in late 2020.
Reservation policies extend beyond Panchayats and Municipalities, with women guaranteed 33 percent representation, including quotas for SC-Women and ST-Women.
Similarly, the Legislative Assembly incorporates 33 percent reservation for women, scheduled to take effect in 2029, alongside existing quotas for SCs and STs.
