- The Lok Sabha has passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023, as well as the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- They strive to provide rights and remedy injustices experienced by particular populations in the Union Territory.
[A] Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- The purpose of this bill is to alter the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act of 2004.
- Inventive Act: The 2004 Act established reserves for SCs, STs, and other socially and educationally disadvantaged groups in jobs and professional institutions.
- The term “weak and underprivileged classes (social castes)” was changed to “other backward classes” as part of the amendment.
[B] Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023
- Goals of the Amendment: To alter the 2019 Act to better represent Kashmiri migrants and displaced individuals from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the Legislative Assembly.
- Seat Allocation: Proposes sending to the Legislative Assembly two members from the Kashmiri migrant community and one representing displaced people from PoK.
- Increase in Assembly Seats: The number of Legislative Assembly seats will be raised from 83 to 90.
- Reservation of seats for SC/ST members: The Bill proposes to reserve seats for SC and ST members.
- Nomination Provisions: The Lieutenant Governor is proposed to nominate up to two members, including one woman, from the “Kashmiri Migrants” group and one member from the “Displaced Persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir” community.
Context and Importance
- Displaced Communities Representation: The bills attempt to establish parliamentary representation for communities who have experienced displacement and past injustices.
- Political and social ramifications: These modifications are relevant in the context of Jammu and Kashmir’s complicated political environment, particularly in light of the repeal of Article 370.
- inclusion: The act aims to increase inclusion and representation in the region’s governing system.
Source: https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1845001