The Housing and Urban Development Department (HuDD) has formally requested the government for information regarding the conclusion dates of Municipal Committees and Councils in Jammu & Kashmir.
According to undisclosed sources from the Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the terms of these committees and councils vary due to the occurrence of by-elections in multiple locations.
Notably, the last Municipal elections in Jammu & Kashmir were conducted in September 2018 across four phases.
The region comprises two municipal corporations, 19 municipal councils, and 57 municipal committees.
“The authorities have reached out to the government, seeking information regarding the initial meetings conducted after the election of representatives,” they stated.
According to legal provisions, the term of these Municipal Committees and Councils commences from the date of their first meeting, which typically takes place within a month of electing representatives.
Officials pointed out that, according to the Municipal Act 131, this five-year term starts from the first meeting, which generally occurs shortly after the representatives’ appointment.
They added, “The majority of the Municipal Committees and Councils are set to conclude their terms by the end of November, but we are seeking legal guidance regarding those with by-elections.”
“While there is no provision for extending their terms, we have communicated with the government, and a decision is anticipated soon because the majority of these Municipal Committees and Councils are concluding their terms by the end of November,” an anonymous official informed KNO.
Furthermore, an inside source in the department disclosed that a notification regarding the conclusion of the terms for the Municipal Committees and Councils is expected to be issued by October 21.