Srinagar, Sept 19: Jammu and Kashmir government today announced 33 per cent reservation for women in panchayats and do away with the practice of nominations to the grassroot level democratic institutions. The decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here.

Announcing the decision, chief secretary S S Bloeria said the cabinet declared its intention to do away with nominations in panchayats and instead make 33 per cent reservation for women.

It decided to amend the Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 to bring it in line with 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India.
The current legislation ensures empowerment of rural women who did not fight panchayat elections in large numbers which was evident from the fact that in Jammu division only 246 women sarpanchas and panchas were elected as against 20,548 panchas and 2,700 sarpanchs in the state, Bloeria said.

He said that reservation for women in panchayat constituencies will ensure their greater participation in managing the affairs of the grass root level democratic institutions.

Bloeria said that the cabinet also decided to grant voting rights to nominated panchas for elections to the block development councils.

The elections to the chairman of block development councils where panchayats have been duely constituted shall be completed in two months time.
Bureau Report