The J&K Reorganization (Amendment) Bill, 2023 serves as a proposed amendment to the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019. This Bill introduces the reservation of 9 seats in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly specifically for Scheduled Tribes (STs) for the first time. The primary aim of this amendment is to complete the reorganization process of Jammu and Kashmir, where assembly elections have been notably overdue. The legislation seeks to enhance the strength of the legislative assembly of the union territory from 107 to 114 members. Additionally, it proposes reserving three of these seats for nominated representatives from displaced communities.
Among the reserved seats, two are designated for the Kashmiri migrant community, with a stipulation that at least one nominee must be a woman. Furthermore, one seat is allocated for a member representing the displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir category.
The Lieutenant Governor of J&K will be responsible for nominating these three members to the assembly.
The justification for the quota aimed at displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied J&K is rooted in their historical suffering during various conflicts, particularly during the 1947 Indo-Pak war as well as the subsequent wars in 1965 and 1971. Similarly, the quota for the Kashmiri migrant community is linked to the period of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir during 1989-90.
The reservation of 9 seats for Scheduled Tribes marks a crucial advancement towards fostering political representation and empowerment for the tribal communities within Jammu and Kashmir. This step is expected to enhance the voice and participation of these communities in the legislative process.
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