J&K admin amends protocols for BDC chairpersons

SRINAGAR — On Wednesday, the administration amended rules to give Block Development Council (BDC) chairpersons in Jammu and Kashmir a status equivalent to that of Army brigadier, in a move seen as a major boost to the Panchayati Raj institutions.

According to the warrant of precedence issued by the Hospitality and Protocol Department of Jammu and Kashmir, BDC chairpersons have been placed at serial number 28, reported Press Trust of India.

They are placed alongside district magistrates, district and sessions judge, major heads of departments, presidents of municipal committees and municipal councils and officers of the rank of brigadier.

The precedence is meant for state and ceremonial occasions, the notification read.