{{short description|Indian politician}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Om Mehta | image = Om Mehta Rajya Sabha photo.jpg | image_size = 180 | birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1927|2|20}} | birth_place = Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, British India | death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1995|2|12|1927|2|20}} | death_place = New Delhi, India | party = Indian National Congress | other_party = Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (before 1964) | alma_mater = Prince of Wales College, Jammu | office = Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs | term_start = 30 June 1970 | term_end = 24 March 1977 | prime_minister = Indira Gandhi | minister = {{ubl|Kotha Raghuramaiah|Raj Bahadur|Kotha Raghuramaiah}} | office1 = Union Minister of State for Home Affairs<br/>(Personnel and Administrative Reforms) | term_start1 = 10 October 1974 | term_end1 = 24 March 1977 | prime_minister1 = Indira Gandhi | minister1 = Kasu Brahmananda Reddy | office2 = Union Minister of State for Works and Housing | term_start2 = 5 February 1973 | term_end2 = 10 October 1974 | minister2 = Bhola Paswan Shastri | prime_minister2 = Indira Gandhi | office3 = Union Minister of State for Shipping and Transport | term_start3 = 2 May 1971 | term_end3 = 5 February 1973 | prime_minister3 = Indira Gandhi | minister3 = Raj Bahadur | office4 = Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | term_start4 = 3 June 1964 | term_end4 = 2 April 1982 | constituency4 = Jammu and Kashmir }}
'''Om Mehta''' (20 February 1927{{snd}}12 February 1995) was an Indian politician who served as the Minister of State for Home, Personnel, and Parliamentary Affairs with independent charge during the Indian Emergency under Indira Gandhi's government. Mehta played a notable role within the Indian National Congress, contributing to various development initiatives, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
== Early life and education == Om Mehta was born on 20 February 1927 in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, then part of British India. He attended Prince of Wales College, now known as Gandhi Memorial Science College, in Jammu. Mehta initially joined the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference in 1947 and later moved to the Indian National Congress in 1964.<ref name="tnn"/>
== Political career == Mehta began his political journey as a member of the National Conference, serving on the Legislative Council of Jammu and Kashmir in 1957 and 1959. He advocated for development initiatives in Kishtwar and played a role in creating employment opportunities for the region. In 1962, he was appointed Director General of the J&K Cooperative Bank and was an active member of various committees, including the Bharat Sewak Sangh, the Panchayati Raj Committee, the Red Industries Board, and the Constitution Club in New Delhi.<ref name="myktw"/>
In 1964, he joined the Indian National Congress and was elected to the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Parliament) as a representative from Jammu and Kashmir. He served on the Public Accounts Committee from 1966 to 1968. During his tenure, Mehta was appointed to various ministerial roles, including the Union Minister of Aviation and Transport in 1971 and, later, the Minister of State for Home Affairs from 1974 to 1977, where he held independent charge.<ref name="myktw">{{cite web |title=Political Personalities of Kishtwar |url=https://mykishtwar.com/political-personalties-of-kishtwar/ |website=MyKishtwar |access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref>
== Contributions == Mehta was instrumental in various development projects in Jammu and Kashmir. Some of his notable contributions include:<ref name="myktw"/> * Initiating the Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant. * Developing the Batote-Kishtwar National Highway. * Improving infrastructure through projects like the Kishtwar-Manali border road and the Bhadarwah-Chamba road. * Enhancing the water supply systems in Kishtwar.
His work in the Congress and his close association with Indira Gandhi allowed him to advocate effectively for Jammu and Kashmir's development at the national level.<ref name="tnn">{{Cite web|title=Om Mehta, a beacon light from Kishtwar, Jammu remembered by NPP on his 22nd Death Anniversary - The News Now|url=http://www.thenewsnow.co.in/newsdet.aspx?q=22094|access-date=2020-12-21|website=The News Now}}</ref>
== Later life and legacy == Om Mehta's career reflected a dedication to the welfare of Jammu and Kashmir. His contributions to the region's infrastructure and public projects earned him significant respect. He died on 12 February 1995 in New Delhi, remembered for his efforts in both regional and national politics.<ref name="myktw"/>
A road in Kishtwar town has been named in Om Mehta’s honor as "Om Mehta Road," recognizing his contributions to the region's development and his service to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jammu and Kashmir State Dashboard - District Kishtwar|url=http://ujala.gov.in/state-dashboard/jammu-and-kashmir/B_KISH#CounterList|access-date=2024-11-02|website=Ujala Government Website|archive-date=18 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918151611/http://ujala.gov.in/state-dashboard/jammu-and-kashmir/B_KISH#CounterList|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050327063702/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2015/stories/20030801000507600.htm |date=27 March 2005 |title=from the publishers of THE HINDU }}(Inactive as of 14 April 2008) * [http://www.kishtwar.com/page10.html Biography of Om Mehta]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * [https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/19770415-the-four-individuals-responsible-for-the-humiliating-defeat-of-congress-818868-2015-04-22]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mehta, Om}} Category:1927 births Category:1995 deaths Category:Place of birth missing Category:People from Kishtwar district Category:People of the Emergency (India) Category:Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council Category:Rajya Sabha members from Jammu and Kashmir Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Jammu and Kashmir Category:Jammu & Kashmir National Conference politicians Category:20th-century Indian politicians