More wait for DDC chairpersons’ election as HC puts Govt on notice on reservations

TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/23/2021 10:41:35 AM Front Page

JAMMU: The much-awaited elections to the post of chairpersons of the District Development Councils are likely to be further delayed as Jammu and Kashmir High Court has put the Union Territory administration on notice on the issue of reservation roaster for women seats.

After multi-phased election process, the results were declared on December 22, 2020. The Act provided elections for the Chairpersons of the DDCs, from among the 14 members in each districts, to be held in 21 days.

However, the Rural Development Department made further reservation rules for women and the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes and added a new clause deferring elections by 20 days from the date State Election Commission notifies reservation. However, the roaster, as far it pertains to reservation for women, has been challenged in the High Court by some members of the DDCs.

The High Court has issued notice in the writ petition challenging change of reservation roaster for the offices of chairperson of DDCs and fixed the matter for further hearing on January 27th, with a direction that any action by the Election commission shall be subject to further orders of the court in the matter.

Justice Rajnesh Oswal while taking cognizance of the matter , issued notice to the respondent UT govt authorities besides State election commission,( Election Authority) while directing the respondents to file response by or before, the next date, fixed on January 27 in the court.

The registry was also directed to list the case in first ten cases in the cause list.

F A Natnoo AAG accepted notice on behalf of respondents, who was asked to file response by or before next date.

The petitioners Nadeem Sharief Niaz and others, elected members of DDCs, have challenged the change of reservation roaster of chairpersons of the DDCs for women as 3,6,9and 12 etc , by virtue of SO 13 of 11 January,2021 which they alleged is contrary to the statutory rules ,SO 330 0f 24 October,2020 ,providing reservation from 1,4,7,10 and so on.

The court after hearing the argument s of the counsel for petioners Shri Gagan Basotra, senior Advocate alongwith Ms Navdeep Adv, issued notice to the government beside state election commissioner , with directions to list the matter on January 27,in higher columns, while directing that meanwhile, subject to objections, any action taken by the respondent no 4 (State Election Commission) shall be subject to the further orders of the court.


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