Assembly Elections in Jammu and Kashmir Incurred Costs of Rs 155 Crore, Government Reports

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections cost Rs 155 crore, as revealed by the Union Territory government. Over 1.25 lakh employees were needed to ensure the elections ran smoothly. Javaid Ahmad Dar, who oversees the election department, mentioned that funds to settle liabilities are being actively considered by the government.

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Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir were conducted in three phases from September 18 to October 1, marking the first elections since Article 370 was revoked. The results, announced on October 8, saw the National Conference securing 42 seats in the 90-member assembly. The BJP followed with 29 seats, Congress won six, PDP secured three, while the Peoples Conference, CPIM, and AAP each won one seat. Independent candidates claimed seven seats.

Election Logistics and Costs

Dar informed that more than Rs 155 crore was spent on these elections. The government is currently considering releasing funds to clear outstanding liabilities. In response to a cut motion by PDP MLA Mir Muhammad Fayaz, Dar highlighted that grants exceeding Rs 9,953.08 crore were approved for seven major departments, including agriculture and horticulture.

Sheikh Khursheed raised another cut motion regarding logistics. Dar responded that vehicles were hired by both the election department and police authorities for the election process. The government is also looking into settling pending payments for transport and other contractors involved.

Employee Involvement in Elections

To manage the large workforce required for the elections, teachers were not exempted from election duties. Dar stated, "To meet this huge requirement, teachers cannot be exempted from election-related duties." This decision was necessary to ensure adequate staffing during the election period.

The assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir were significant as they were the first since Article 370's abrogation. The elections took place over three phases between September 18 and October 1, with results declared on October 8. The National Conference emerged as the leading party with a majority of seats.

The government is actively working on addressing financial liabilities related to the election process. This includes clearing dues for transport and other services used during the elections. The involvement of over 1.25 lakh employees highlights the scale of operations required to conduct these elections efficiently.