In the modern world, democracy has come to stay and it has been accepted that democratic form of government is the best instrument of governing a society. There are variations in the forms of democracy, but it is an acknowledged fact that there should be maximum involvement of masses in the decision- making process. While at the provincial and national level, elections are held at regular intervals to know the views of the people about the policies & performance of a particular party government, it is highly necessary and useful to involve people in the local problems of the society. The onward march of democracy has been accompanied by the gradual extension of the right to participate effectively in the process of governance to the common masses who are affected by it. The essence of local- self government (home rule as is generally called) is the extent of popular participation in the process of the government. A true and sable democracy must begin at grass roots with the people managing their affairs in their own little communities. The efficiency and success of a democratic local government depends largely upon the interest the public takes in and the support it gives to its activities. Moreover, Municipal administration touches more people at more points very frequently than any other branch of public administration due to varied factors viz Municipal administration has to provide essential public amenities which are indispensable for the daily needs of the common masses, and Municipal administration in the discharge of its regulatory functions, has now and then, to take action against citizens for acts of commission or omission. The days of the old town meetings and the ancient village Panchayats have gone beyond recall. The rapidly growing exodus from the rural to the urban areas in the wake of growing industrial revolutions has greatly changed the old pattern of local government. The municipal government in the in the state of Jammu & Kashmir came into existence in 1886 A.D. when the first municipal act was passed. Under this act, two municipalities of Jammu and Srinagar were constituted. Jammu municipality was formed in March 1886 and Srinagar municipality in April 1886. These municipalities were constituted to improve the general conditions of cities and their inhabitants. In order to improve the level of civic amenities, the Act f 1886 was amended by the Municipal Act XVI of 1889. In order to deal effectively with the day to day affairs of the municipalities, the government set up in 1893 a separate department known as the Department of Municipal Administration to ensure focused attention on municipal administration. In early years, the municipalities were treated as one of the government departments of administration. They were composed solely of members nominated by the government. It was only in 1913 that the provision of an elective element into the municipalities of Jammu & Kashmir was introduced. This was done with the enactment of Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Regulation Act 1913. Under the provisions of this act, both the municipalities in the state were re- organized. Before the enactment of Municipal Regulation Act 1913, as regards finance, the municipalities depended entirely on the state government. The funds at their disposal consisted of the budget allocation set apart for municipal purposes by the state government. The municipalities were not allowed to levy any tax. The octroi duty levied by them was collected by revenue department of the government. In the context of the national level debate on the structural reforms in the municipal sector which finally culminated in the enactment of constitution of India (Seventy Forth Amendment) Act 1992, the state legislature enacted two legislations in November 2000, namely the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal; Act 2000, to replace the existing Municipal Act of 1951 and the Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act 2000. The primary objective of these two legislations is to re -organize the municipal set up so as to make the urban local bodies dynamic organs of power for better management of self governance of urban areas. Specific stipulations aimed at strengthening the financial domain of the restructured local bodies have been made in the two enactments, so as to make local bodies vibrant and self- sustaining for better management of civic affairs. Following these two enactments and n order to restore their representative character, elections to the local bodies (Notified Area Committee) now renamed as Municipal Committees, (Town Area Committees) now called as Municipal Councils and (Municipalities of Srinagar and Jammu) now upgraded to the status of so many corporations were held after a gap of twenty six years. Democratization of civic bodies was a historic event in the history of municipal government in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and Kashmir. This has given a fillip to the decision making process. Besides, it also makes the administration in the state directly responsible to the common man. The councilors representing different wards are in a best position to identify and address people's problems. Municipal government in Jammu and Kashmir covers three distinct types of urban local authorities, viz The Municipal Corporation for the cities of Jammu and Srinagar, The Municipal Council for medium town and the Municipal Committee for a small town. There are seventy one urban local bodies in the state of Jammu and Kashmir which consists of two Municipal Corporations, Six Municipal Councils and Sixty Three Municipal Committees. Local- self government in the form of Municipalities and District Councils have been working since long in India. In this book, an in-depth attempt has been made to trace the origin and functioning of local- self governments in Jammu & Kashmir. I am thankful of publishing house Book Bazooka Publication for guidance and support in conceptualizing this book. I am also grateful to entire team for book bazooka for their tireless and painstaking effort of shaping this book in its present form through their minute editing. Dr. M. Shafi Bhat

The institution of Panchayati Raj is not new to India. It existed since earliest times. We get ample references about the Panchayats in the Manusmriti, the Arthsastra and the Mahabharata. During the Muslim rule also the system continued to operate unobstructed. With the assumption of power by the British and the adoption of policy of centralization, the Panchayats suffered a temporary setback. But soon the British realized the value of this institution and the Decentralization Commission recommended in its report in 1907. “In ignoring the village as the primary unit of local self- government, the government made the beginning with a false step. This scanty success hit her to make to introduce a system of rural self-government, is largely due to the fact that we have not built from the bottom and hence it is most desirable to constitute and develop village Panchayats for administration of certain local affairs with the villages”

1. Know your state’ series provides the entire description of the state 2. Present edition on Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh has been divided into units 3. It provides chapter wise Theory for thorough learning 4. MCQs are provided for quick practice 5. Special section for current Affairs for a quick look 6. The book contains detailed information on “Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh” along with latest current updates 7. Highly useful for JKPSC and other state-level exams. The alluring natural beauty, picture psyche sceneries and world class famous handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh, attract many tourists towards these states. Aspirants who are preparing for the JKPSC other state Civil exams must have good general knowledge about the states. Enrich yourself with the revised edition of ‘Know Your State – Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh’that is a one-stop solution supported with the latest updates & figures. This book provides detailed study material of History, Geography, Economics, Politics, Art & Culture, Centre & State Government of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh states. Along with the Chapterwise information, there are ample MCQs provided for the revision afterevery chapters simultaneously. A special section is given to Current Affairs that provides a quick look over recent incidents. Housed with the best available resources, prepare yourself with the complete general knowledge of Jammu and Kashmir & Ladakh with this complete reference book. TOC Current Affairs, Basic Information, History of Jammu, History of Kashmir, History of Ladakh, Formation of the State Jammu and Kashmir, Physiography, Climate, Drainage System, Soils and Minerals, Forest Resources, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Agriculture and Irrigation, Animal Husbandry, Energy Resources, The Industrial Sector, Transport and Communication, Tourism, Constitutional Formation, Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, Panchayati Raj, District Profile, Language and Literature, Art and Crafts, Folk Music and Dances, Fairs and Festivals, Cuisines, Education and Health, Tribes and Tribal Populations, Schemes and Programmes, Sports, Awards, Famous Personalities, Demographic Profiles.

This textbook is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Public Administration, Political Science and UPSC aspirants. Lucid, accessible and student-friendly Public Administration in India: Familiarizes students with the theory, practice and evolution of Indian administration through contextual analysis Adopts a multi-disciplinary approach in discussing the traditional and emerging issues of the Indian administration Focuses on the processes of administration with reference to their constitutional provisions as well as socio-economic and political contexts; and Highlights new issues and challenges in the field of public administration in India through critical analysis of its growth and development since Independence This book will be key reading for the candidates appearing for various civil service examinations as well as for students and researchers of political science and public administration.

The classic reference work that provides annually updated information on the countries of the world.

Jammu and Kashmir is one of the top states of India which is enriched with natural beauty so rich that it attracts candidates throughout the country to work in its territory. Having a good general knowledge about this state is highly beneficial for those appearing for its Civil Services Exam and other state level exams. Know Your State – Jammu and Kashmir lets you learn about the History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Art and Culture, Center and Government Welfare Schemes, and Current Affairs of this Northernmost Indian state. It has been revised carefully to provide the invaluable source of knowledge to help in exams. It is housed with an ample amount of more than 1100 multiple choice type questions to have a solid practice for your preparation. Written in a comprehensive manner and based on the latest syllabus of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services Exam, it is a perfect reference book to help you perform better in your exam. TOC Jammu and Kashmir: Basic Information, Ancient History of Jammu and Kashmir, Medieval History of Jammu and Kashmir, Modern History of Jammu and Kashmir, Physiography of Jammu and Kashmir, Climate of Jammu and Kashmir, Drainage System of Jammu and Kashmir, Soils and Minerals of Jammu and Kashmir, Forests of Jammu and Kashmir, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, Agriculture and Irrigation in Jammu and Kashmir, Animal Husbandry of Jammu and Kashmir, Industries of Jammu and Kashmir, Energy Sources of Jammu and Kashmir, Transport and Communication of Jammu and Kashmir, Tourism Profile of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir: Constitution, Jammu and Kashmir Executive, Jammu and Kashmir Legislature, Jammu and Kashmir Judiciary, Jammu and Kashmir: Panchayati Raj, District Profile of Jammu and Kashmir, Language and Literature of Jammu and Kashmir, Art and Crafts of Jammu and Kashmir, Folk Music and Dance of Jammu and Kashmir, Fairs and Festivals of Jammu and Kashmir, Education and Health Scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, Tribes and Tribal Population of Jammu and Kashmir, Sports of Jammu and Kashmir, Awards and Honors of Jammu and Kashmir, Historical and Political Personalities of Jammu and Kashmir, Demographic Profile of Jammu and Kashmir, Current Affairs