New Delhi, Feb. 21 -- A law seeking to provide reservation to Other Backward Classes in Local Bodies in Jammu and Kashmir came into effect on Tuesday with the Union Home Ministry issuing a notification in this regard.

So far, there was no provision for reservation of seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in panchayats and municipalities in the Union Territory.

"In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Jammu and Kashmir Local Bodies Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024 (2 of 2024), the Central Government hereby appoints the 20th day of February 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force," according to a notification issued by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla.

The act a...