SC seeks info on local bodies in Maha with quota above 50%

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought information on the number of Maharashtra local bodies where total reservation exceeds the 50% benchmark, observing that election to these bodies can be subject to final orders as it asked the state poll panel to ensure all remaining ones comply with 50% rule.

- Abraham Thomas

The court passed the order as it took up a contempt petition against the state government for violating the judgment of the top court laying down the triple test in 2021 by which states are required to carry out a scientific study before rolling out reservation for other backward classes (OBC) in local bodies, followed by determination of quantum of reservation to be applied in each local body area, and ensure that the total reservation of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs does not exceed 50%.

With the court insisting last week that the total reservation in local bodies cannot exceed 50%, the state government on Tuesday submitted that it is holding consultations with the state poll panel. According to the state, on December 2, polls are due for 246 municipal councils and 42 Nagar Panchayats while dates for elections to 32 Zila Parishads, 336 Panchayat Samitis and 29 municipal corporations are yet to be decided.

The bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and justice Joymalya Bagchi said, "You first give us a list where there is a breach of 50%." The state poll panel represented by senior advocate Balbir Singh said that according to the figures available with him for the December 2 local body elections, there are 57 where reservation has exceeded 50%. He agreed to submit a comprehensive list across all local bodies by Friday, when the matter will be heard next.