All 20 DDCs in Jammu Kashmir Cease to Exist as Five-Year Term Ends; Fresh Polls Uncertain | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The five-year term of all 20 District Development Councils (DDCs) in Jammu and Kashmir ended today, bringing to a close the third tier of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the Union Territory. With Panchayats, Municipalities and Block Development Councils (BDCs) having already completed their tenures, all three tiers of elected local governance have now ceased to exist.

The DDCs, constituted for the first time in 2021 following elections held in November-December 2020, comprised 280 elected members across 20 districts—10 each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions. Each Council had 14 elected members, among whom Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons were chosen.

Elections to the local bodies do not appear imminent as the report of the OBC Commission, headed by Justice (Retd) Janak Raj Kotwal, remains pending with the government. The Commission submitted its recommendations on February 27, 2025, regarding reservation for Other Backward Classes in PRIs and urban local bodies. Officials indicated that once reservation percentages are notified, rotation of reserved seats would follow, further delaying the poll process.

Uncertainty also persists over the continuation of Central grants earmarked for PRIs and the utilisation of nearly Rs 2,000 crore in capital expenditure earlier routed through the DDCs. The government has announced that the powers of the DDCs will not be transferred to any other authority.

The tenure of Municipalities ended in October-November 2023, while Panchayats and BDCs completed their term on January 9, 2024. Meanwhile, retired IAS officer Shantmanu recently assumed charge as State Election Commissioner after the post remained vacant for over 10 months.