Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday introduced two key amendment bills in the Legislative Assembly — one to raise the maximum age limit for the State Election Commissioner (SEC) from 65 to 70 years, and another to empower the Special Tribunal to function as the Cooperative Appellate Tribunal.
The Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 was moved by Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Javid Ahmad Dar.
According to the draft amendment, “The State Election Commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years, including any reappointment, from the date of assuming charge, or until attaining the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.”
Currently, the SEC holds office for five years or until the age of 65, as per existing provisions of the 1989 Act. The government said the proposed change aims to introduce “greater flexibility” and bring the age limit in line with similar provisions in states like Uttar Pradesh, where the SEC holds office until the age of 70.
Highlighting the importance of the office, the government noted that the SEC plays a crucial role in conducting free and fair elections to strengthen grassroots democracy and ensure proper updating of electoral rolls.
The statement of objects and reasons said the amendment was necessary “to bring parity and to introduce greater flexibility in certain circumstances.”
In a separate move, Dar — who also holds the Cooperative portfolio — introduced another bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Cooperative Societies Act, 1989, enabling the Special Tribunal constituted under the J&K Special Tribunal Act to discharge the powers and functions of the Cooperative Appellate Tribunal.
The government said the proposed amendment would revive the earlier arrangement introduced through the J&K Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2016, and also seeks to omit Section 157 of the Act, which currently mandates the establishment of a separate Cooperative Appellate Tribunal.
“The amendment aims to streamline the appellate mechanism under the Cooperative Societies Act and ensure efficient disposal of cases,” the government added.
Additionally, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, who also serves as Minister for Labour and Employment, introduced a bill to amend and consolidate laws regulating employment conditions in shops and commercial establishments across Jammu and Kashmir.
