Jammu: As part of measures to restore grass roots level democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, panchayat elections will soon be held in the State.

During the last elections in 2001, only 981 panchayat `halquas' of the 2,700 were covered due to militancy.

After the elections many panchayat presidents were killed and many resigned following threats.

Amendments

In 2005, the Government decided to prematurely dissolve the panchayats and hold elections with amendments to the State Panchayati Raj Act. The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Indian Constitution, which empowered the local bodies, are not applicable to the State of Jammu and Kashmir due to its special status under Article 370. The State Panchayati Raj Act is different from that governing the rest of the country. In the State, there are no elected representatives in the 14 District Planning and Development Boards. There are no three-tiers of the Panchayati Raj.

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