Rajya Sabha passes J&K Bills on reservation, Assembly representation

The two Bills were passed by the Lok Sabha on December 6.

The Rajya Sabha on December 11 passed two key legislations -- the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.

The reservation amendment legislation replaces the phrase "weak and under-privileged classes" with "other backward classes" in the law governing quota for jobs and education in J&K.

The reorganisation amendment bill seeks to nominate two members from the Kashmiri migrant community and one representing the displaced persons from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to the legislative assembly. The legislation also increases the Union territory's Assembly effective strength to 90 seats from 83 at present.

Both the bills were passed in the Parliament's Upper House via voice vote, as the Opposition walked out of the proceedings shortly before the voting began.

Also Read: Highlights of he Parliament proceedings

Earlier in the day, opposition and treasury benches engaged in a heated verbal duel in Rajya Sabha after a controversial remark by a DMK member during a discussion on Jammu and Kashmir bills.  Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar expunged it and reminded the MPs of the responsibility that came with the freedom of speech.

Dhankhar told the DMK member that the freedom of speech in the Upper House "is not unqualified" in reference to the Supreme Court judgement on the matter. "Can we quote anything in this House? Can we go to the extent of it being seditious, challenging our integrity, going against our Constitution? Going against the judgement of the Supreme Court this day? That will not be acceptable," he said during the proceedings.

Both the Bills were passed by the Lok Sabha on December 6.

Jammu & Kashmir Reservation (Amendment) Bill, 2023

It was first introduced in Lok Sabha on July 26, 2023. It amends the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act of 2004, by replacing the phrase "weak and under-privileged classes" with "other backward classes". It provides for reservation in jobs and admission in professional institutions to members of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other socially and educationally backward classes.

 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2023

In 2019, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act paved the way for the restructuring of the state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The Act amends the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly's composition, increasing the total seats from 83 to 90. It also reserves seven seats for Scheduled Castes and nine seats for Scheduled Tribes.