J&K govt to introduce bill on 73rd amendment in assembly

Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to introduce J&K Ombudsman for Panchayats Bill in the state legislature to incorporate provisions of the 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution after it received a green signal from the state cabinet.
"The Jammu and Kashmir Ombudsman for Panchayats Bill, 2014 (to incorporate provisions of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution), will be introduced in the state legislature during the ensuing session," the official said.
The state assembly session is slated to begin tomorrow.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, yesterday approved extending provisions of the 73rd constitutional amendment to the state for empowering panchayati raj institutions.

Congress and opposition BJP had been demanding inclusion of 73rd Amendment which would give decision-making and financial powers to panchayats. It gives panchayats autonomy in planning and execution of development work and utilisation of funds.
The demand was fuelled after panchayat elections were successfully conducted in the state in 2011 after three decades.