Parliament Passes Historic JK ST Quota Bill, Two Other Reservation Bills

The Rajya Sabha cleared three Bills related to Jammu and Kashmir, aiming to address issues of reservation for marginalized communities and modify existing lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Union territory.

1. Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Purpose: To provide reservation to Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in local bodies within the Union territory.
• Initiator: Moved by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
• Current Status: There is currently no provision for reservation of seats for OBCs in panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Purpose: To include four communities – Gadda Brahmin, Koli, Paddari Tribe, and Pahari Ethnic Group – in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Significance: Marks an important step towards recognizing and safeguarding the rights of these communities.

3. Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024

• Purpose: To incorporate Valmiki community as a synonym of Chura, Balmiki, Bhangi, and Mehtar communities in the list of Scheduled Castes in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Initiator: Moved by Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar.
• Amendment: Seeks to amend the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order of 1956 to ensure inclusion and recognition of the Valmiki community.