SRINAGAR: The Jammu & Kashmir Local Bodies Dedicated Backward Classes (J&K LBDBC) Commission chaired by Justice (Retd.) Janak Raj Kotwal, and its Members; R.K. Bhagat IAS (Retd.) and Professor M.S. Bhadwalvisited District Headquarter Anantnag as a part of their outreach and met the stakeholders from different panchayats and Urban Local Bodies of Districts Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian to assess the implications of backwardness among OBC's in direct elections to the local bodies.

The Commission was apprised by the delegations about the problems faced by the OBC community in getting representation in the local bodies and the circumstances that prevent them in getting elected to the rural local bodies.

The delegations expressed their concern about the absence of comprehensive census of OBC classes so far and stressed that the OBC classes survey should be done in light of more castes that have been included in 2024.

The Commission gave a patient hearing to the views and grievances of the delegations and, assured to accord consideration to their concerns.