The Parliament approved the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Tribes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The Bill aims at empowering Pahari Ethnic Group, Padari Tribes, Koli and Gadda Brahmin by providing the Scheduled Tribe status.
The Upper House has also cleared the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The Local Bodies Bill-2024 seeks to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes in panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir.
It also brings consistency in the local body laws of the Union territory with the provisions of the Constitution.
Currently, there is no provision for reservation of seats for OBCs in panchayats and municipalities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Scheduled Castes Order Amendment Bill, adds Valmiki community as a synonym of Chura, Balmiki, Bhangi, and Mehtar communities in the list of Scheduled Castes in Jammu and Kashmir.
The bill seeks to amend the Constitution (Jammu and Kashmir) Scheduled Castes Order of 1956.