Vol. 3, Issue 8, Part E (2017)

Abstract
This paper seeks to examine the participation of Scheduled Tribes of Jammu and Kashmir in Panchayt Raj Institutions. This work is based on secondary data, mostly on Census of India and Ministry of Tribal affair. Large countries like India cannot be developed until the development of weaker section of people. Scheduled Tribes are the poor section of people whose condition is still becoming worse because of being deprived from their natural resources by the government. In Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Raj was introduced by Maharaja Hari Singh in 1936 by passing Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Regulation Act 1936. For making our Panchayat system viable and representative Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Raj Act 1989 was passed by Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. It reduced voting age from 21 to 18 years. In 2003 amended it to provide 33% reservation for Women including Scheduled Tribe/Scheduled Caste women vide SRO 181 dated 17-06-2014. For making Panchayats financially strong Jammu and Kashmir State Finance Commission for Panchayat and Municipalities Act 2011 was passed. In 2016 it passed the Act to convert election of Sarpanch from direct to indirect by Panches.