Panchayat and Urban Local Body Elections Will Be Held Soon in J&K: L-G Manoj Sinha

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday said that panchayat and urban local body (ULB) elections will be held soon in Union Territory.

Sinha me remarks while dressing a large garing of farmers and devotees during his visit to Jhiri Mela on outskirts of Jammu after paying obeisance at local Baba Jitto temple.

"Panchayat and urban local body elections will be held soon," LG said, as he reiterated government's resolve to transform agriculture sector under guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi .

last panchayat and ULB elections were held between October and December in 2018, and elected entities have alrey completed ir five-year term.

elections could not be held on time due various reasons, including ongoing process of delimitation and reservation of wards for Or Backward Classes (OBCs).

Jammu and Kashmir ministration has alrey initiated process to update electoral roll starting November 11, following a directive from State Election Commission (SEC) to publish revised list by January 6 next year.

tenure of block development councils (BDCs) also ended in October, while district development councils (DDCs) will complete ir term in January 2026.

LG in his dress also reiterated his commitment to protect rights of displaced families from Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), West Pakistan Refugees, tribals, Valmikis and or deprived sections who benefited from abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

"Empowering J-K's farmers is my mission for which we have taken strategic steps to accelerate transformation in agriculture and allied sectors. We will ensure that youth in rural areas get equal opportunities to shine," Sinha told garing.

Highlighting deep spiritual and cultural significance of Jhiri Mela, LG said annual event "reminds us about sacrifices of our farming families and ir vital role in serving and nurturing humanity".

"Jhiri Mela symbolises India's cultural unity, and tritions tied to thre of social values provide an opportunity to people to learn about our heritage, culture, art and craft," Sinha said.

Jhiri Mela is held every year during "Kartik Purnima" when devotees pay obeisance at Baba Jitto temple in Jhiri village on Jammu-Akhnoor national highway.

Scores of devotees, mainly from Jammu region, Punjab , Himachal Presh and Haryana , visit fair each year to commemorate sacrifice of Baba Jitto, a farmer who gave up his life in protest against oppressive demands of a zamindar about 500 years ago.

His daughter Bua Kouri, according to legend, took her life by jumping on her far’s funeral pyre.

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