Legislative Council passes panchayat ombudsman bill

Decks were cleared for the setting up of a Panchayat Ombudsman to probe graft and maladministration cases as a bill in that regard was passed today by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council.
The bill, which provides for the establishment of an ombudsman to probe charges of corruption or maladministration in Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state was moved by the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Ali Mohd Sagar. It has been returned to the Legislative Assembly after passage in the Upper House.
The bill aims to bring about transparency and accountability in the functioning of elected representatives of panchayats in J-K.

Another bill, which provides for the setting up of a paramedical council in the state while seeking to regulate practice by paramedical practitioners and institutions was also considered and returned by the Upper House. It was moved by the Minister for Health and Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din.
A bill moved by the Minister for Higher Education Mohd Akbar Lone, to amend the J-K Universities Act, 1969, was also passed by the House along with a bill to amend the J-K Value Added Tax Act, 2005, which was moved by Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather.