Maha move to breach 50% quota cap came after SG’s letter

THE SUPREME COURT IS HEARING OVER 15 PLEAS ON THE QUOTA CAP, AND IS LIKELY TO GIVE AN ORDER ON TUESDAY

- Surendra P Gangan

Ahead ofa crucial judgmentin the Supreme Court dealing with reservations in local bodies, one that could decide whether elections for such bodies scheduled to begin December 2 can go ahead, itemerges that Maharashtra’s decision to breach the 50% ceiling on reservation came after anopinion from the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta.

Inthe letter, a copy of which HT has seen, addressed to Maharashtra State Election Commissioner (SEC) Dinesh Waghmare and dated June 2, Mehta opined that local body elections in the state can be held where the 27% quota for the Other Backward Classes is maintained, even in those constituencies where the 50% reservation ceiling is breached when the OBC reservation is combined with reservations for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes.

The Supreme Court is hearing over 15 petitions on the reservation cap in Maharashtra, with some claiming the breach is significant in some districts, and is likely to give an order on Tuesday. The Solicitor General is appearing for the state.