Panchayat, ULB poll in J&K after OBC reservation process concludes: L-G Manoj Sinha

Srinagar, January 16

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday asserted that panchayat and urban local bodies polls would “definitely” be conducted in the Union territory after the reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is implemented.

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He alleged that those who deprived the local bodies of funds during their rule were now doing politics on the issue and want the situation to revert, but “we will not allow that.”

“I want to tell those colleagues of mine who were panchs, sarpanches and ULB representatives after the State Reorganisation Act came into force, the reservation of other backward classes was a constitutional necessity and the administration has started the process.

“I want to assure you that after concluding this exercise, ULBs and Panchayat polls will definitely be conducted in Jammu and Kashmir. I want to assert that they will definitely be held,” Sinha said here.

He was addressing a gathering after inaugurating a stadium named after the country’s first chief of defence staff General Bipin Rawat in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

During the function, Sinha described General Rawat as a brave soldier and military strategist. He said his contributions to peace, progress, and prosperity of the region will be remembered. Jammu and Kashmir, Sinha said is on a transformative journey.

General Rawat’s last stint in Kashmir was as the General Officer Commanding the Baramulla-based 19 Infantry Division. In December 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir government renamed the Jhelum Stadium in the Janbazpora locality in Baramulla district after him.

While hoping for snowfall like everyone in the Valley, Sinha expressed concern over a prolonged dry spell. “I hope for snowfall in the valley as it is crucial for tourism in this season and power projects.”

About the delay in Urban Local Bodies (ULB) and Panchayat polls, Sinha said it was a constitutional necessity to address the reservation of other backward classes after the J&K Reorganisation Act came into force.

He said his administration has initiated the process to implement reservation and once it is concluded, the ULBs and Panchayat polls will be conducted in Jammu and Kashmir. However, he gave no specific timeframe for completion of the process.

Without naming any regional political party, Sinha accused them of depriving local bodies of funds during their rule. He alleged they are now engaging in politics on the issue.

The term of the 28,000 representatives from 4291 Panchayats ended on Jan 9. The last Panchayat elections were held in November-December 2018, with Municipalities having their elections in October of the same year. /Agencies