OBC reservation in Local Bodies: J&K admin sets rules for functioning of commission

Govt will appoint 3 members, including retired High Court judge as Chairman

SRINAGAR: Days after giving the nod to the dedicated commission for facilitating reservations to OBCs in local bodies, the administration has chalked out rules and regulations for the functioning of the commission.
Earlier this week, the government approved the establishment of a dedicated Backward Classes Commission for facilitating reservations to OBCs in Local Bodies in view of the enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024.
In this regard, a notification has been issued by the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir, in pursuance of the directions passed by the Supreme Court in K. Krishnamurthy v/s. Union of India, 2010 (7) SCC 202, and Vikas Krishna Rao Gawli v/s. State of Maharashtra, AIR ONLINE 2021 SC 125, hereby constitutes a dedicated Commission to conduct contemporaneous rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness qua local bodies with respect to the backward class of citizens in all local bodies within the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and to study the nature and effects of backwardness and to provide its recommendations, it reads.
This Commission shall be known as the "Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Dedicated Backward Classes Commission" (hereinafter referred to as Commission). The term of the Commission will be forty-five (45) days from the date of publication of this Order.
The Commission, after studying the following subject, shall submit its suggestions and recommendations to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir: On the reference of the Government, empirical study and investigation in the context of the representation of backward classes in all Local Bodies before the upcoming general elections of the Local Bodies in the Union territory and submitting its recommendations to the Government regarding proportional reservation for backward classes, Local Body-wise (Urban & Rural).
The Commission shall conduct the contemporaneous rigorous empirical inquiry into the nature and implications of the backwardness of local bodies in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Commission shall, on the basis of available records, reports, surveys, and other data, ascertain the proportion of the population of backward class of citizens in the total population, local body in order to study in light of instructions given by the Supreme Court and to submit the report and recommendations to the Government.
The Commission shall submit its report to the Government within such period which may be prescribed by the Government.
In addition to the above, the Commission shall take assistance from Central and Union territory Government Offices, various organizations, institutions or individuals for obtaining such information to its satisfaction as it may consider necessary or relevant for its purpose, in such form and manner as they may think appropriate.
The Commission shall comprise three members to be appointed by the Government from amongst such persons who may have knowledge of the matters related to backward classes. Amongst the above members, one member shall be the Retired Judge of the Hon'ble High Court, who shall be the Chairman of the Commission.
The headquarters of the Commission will be in Srinagar/Jammu. The Commission shall hold meetings at such places, times and periods as the Chairman may deem fit.