Lok Sabha Question No. 285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-19
Subject: Elections for Block Development Council
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Asaduddin Owaisi, Imtiaz Jaleel Syed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 285

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH NOVEMBER, 2019/ KARTIKA 28, 1941 (SAKA )

## ELECTIONS FOR BLOCK DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

285. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether election for Block Development Council (BDC) to elect Chairperson was held recently in Jammu and Kashmir;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  these  chairpersons  of  BDC  are  elected  by  Sarpanches  and Panches of the respective blocks;
- (d)  if  so,  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  vacancies  in  Panchayats  in  Jammu  and Kashmir are more than 50 per cent and even in some districts,  90 per  cent BDC voters are missing;
- (e) if so, the rationale behind holding elections without voters; and
- (f)  the  district-wise  outcome  of  the  vote  and  steps  taken  to  fill  the  vacant posts of BDC voters?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) &  (b)  :  As  per  the  information  furnished  by  the  Government  of  Jammu  & Kashmir, elections were held on 24th of October, 2019 in the  erstwhile State of  J&K  for  307  positions  (out  of  316  positions)  of  Chairpersons  of  Block Development Councils  (BDCs) in  accordance with the provisions  of the  J&K Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 1989. The District/Block-wise details of the elected  Chairpersons  of  the  Block  Development  Councils  are  available  in

http://www.ceojammukashmir.nic.in/pdf/BDC\_2019/winner.pdf.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) & (e):   No  Sir,  The  filled  positions  in  the  electorate  for  Block  Development Councils is 67.4%, except in the Pulwama district.  In order to strengthen the grass  root  level  democracy,  implementation  of  Schemes  transferred  to  the PRIs,  ensuring  the  people-centric  planning  and  involving  the  people  of  rural areas in the decision making, it became imperative to conduct the elections to the  2nd  tier  i.e.  Chairpersons  of  the  BDCs  for  constitution  of  the  Block Development Councils.

(f):  The district-wise details of voter turnout are given in Annexure. The Govt. of J&K has intimated about requesting the Election Authority for initiating the process for holding of the elections to the vacancies of Panch(s)/ Sarpanch (S).

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## LS.US.Q.NO. 285 FOR 19.11.2019

ANNEXURE LS.US. Q.NO. 285 FOR 19.11.2019

## VOTERS TURNOUT

| S.No.   | District   |   Votes Polled (Close of Poll) |
|---------|------------|--------------------------------|
| 1.      | Anantnag   |                           90.5 |
| 2.      | Bandipora  |                           97.6 |
| 3.      | Baramulla  |                           97.1 |
| 4.      | Budgam     |                           94.9 |
| 5.      | Doda       |                           99.2 |
| 6.      | Ganderbal  |                           95.1 |
| 7.      | Jammu      |                           99.5 |
| 8.      | Kargil     |                           98.3 |
| 9.      | Kathua     |                           99.4 |
| 10.     | Kishtwar   |                           99.5 |
| 11.     | Kulgam     |                           93.9 |
| 12.     | Kupwara    |                           95.9 |
| 13..    | Leh        |                           97.3 |
| 14.     | Poonch     |                           99.3 |
| 15.     | Pulwama    |                           86.2 |
| 16.     | Rajouri    |                           99.5 |
| 17.     | Ramban     |                           99.2 |
| 18.     | Reasi      |                           99.7 |
| 19.     | Samba      |                           99.6 |
| 20.     | Shopian    |                           85.3 |
| 21.     | Srinagar   |                          100   |
| 22.     | Udhampur   |                           99.4 |
| Total   | Total      |                           98.3 |

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