Local body polls: SC nod for 27% OBC quota, 2017 ward boundaries
It directed the State Election Commission to issue the notification for the local body polls within four weeks.
Hearing a petition challenging the ward restructuring of the Ausa municipal council in Latur district and demanding that it be reverted to the pre-March 2022 structure, the top court affirmed that it is the exclusive prerogative of the state govt to define ward boundaries, reports Clara Lewis.
The SC on Monday dismissed pleas seeking to revert to the earlier ward demarcations (as decided by the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which had increased the number of wards in municipal corporations and district councils based on the projected population), making it clear that the local body elections will be conducted based on the revised boundaries as approved by the state govt.
It also rejected another petition challenging the 27% OBC electoral reservation in local bodies, confirming its earlier stance that elections could be held with the OBC quota in place.
You Can Also Check:
Mumbai AQI
|
Weather in Mumbai
|
Bank Holidays in Mumbai
|
Public Holidays in Mumbai
CM Devendra Fadnavis said the apex court has accepted suggestions of the state govt on both ward boundaries and OBC reservation. "The petition sought that the ward formation done in 2022 by the Maha Vikas Aghadi govt be implemented for the elections.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription!
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
However, our govt already scrapped the decision. We said ward formation would follow the 2017 format, which has been accepted by the court," he said. The CM also said the SC had confirmed its earlier directions on OBC reservation.
"The OBC reservation will apply in all districts," he said.
In an earlier hearing, the SC had expressed displeasure over the long delay in conducting local body elections, even questioning the intent of the State Election Commission.
It had on May 6 directed the commission to complete the polls within four months.
Earlier, Fadnavis said the local body elections will be held in phases: the zilla parishad elections in one phase, the nagar parishad and nagar panchayat elections in the second, and the municipal corporation elections in the third. The entire election process is expected to be completed by the year-end.
State minister and NCP politician Chhagan Bhujbal hailed the SC order.
"The top court's decision removes significant hurdles in the implementation of OBC reservation in local self-governance bodies," he said.
Bhujbal further said, "The ruling has reinforced that the elections would proceed based on the newly notified ward/constituency boundaries and reaffirms that the elections would proceed as per the May 2025 order, ensuring that the 27% reservation for OBCs remains intact."
The BMC House's term ended in March 2022. Since then, the municipal chief as administrator has been overseeing functioning of the corporation. Elections have been pending in 29 corporations, 248 municipal councils, 42 nagar panchayats, 32 zilla parishads and 336 panchayat samitis. Initially, local body polls were delayed on account of Covid lockdown. Then, court cases regarding OBC quota and number of wards added to the inordinate delay.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
10 minutes ago
- Hans India
Cabinet To discuss SC QUOTA report on AugUST 7
Bengaluru: The long-awaited final report on internal reservation among Scheduled Castes (SCs) in Karnataka has been submitted to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah by the commission headed by retired High Court judge H.N. Nagamohan Das. The voluminous report comprises 1,766 pages, including survey data, annexures, and six key recommendations. The commission conducted a state-wide survey between May 5 and July 6, 2025, covering 27,24,768 SC households and 1,07,01,982 individuals. The report aims to provide a comprehensive basis for intra-reservation within the SC community, as per constitutional and judicial guidelines. Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha, CM Siddaramaiah confirmed receiving the report and stated that the cabinet will deliberate on its contents in the upcoming meeting on August 7. 'The report has been submitted today, but we have not reviewed its contents yet. It will be discussed in the cabinet meeting,' he said. Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara described the report as historic and noted that its implementation would be deliberated by the cabinet. Minister K.H. Muniyappa expressed confidence that the recommendations would be implemented, while Social Welfare Minister R.B. Thimmapur reiterated the government's commitment to act on the findings. Thimmapur also recalled that the commission was initially set up by former CM S.M. Krishna. He criticized the BJP for rejecting the Sadashiva Commission report and affirmed that the Congress government is determined to ensure justice through internal reservation. The Nagamohan Das Commission was constituted in January 2025 to study sub-categorization among SCs due to lack of accurate data. The interim report, submitted on March 27, 2025, led to cabinet approval for a detailed socio-educational survey. The commission's recommendations are based on educational backwardness, inadequate representation in government jobs, and social indicators. It aligns with Supreme Court directives that allow sub-categorization under Article 14 of the Constitution, provided no existing beneficiary is excluded. The cabinet's decision on the implementation is expected to shape the future of reservation policies for SC subgroups in the state.
Hindustan Times
10 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Karnataka government receives report on SC internal quota
A report recommending internal reservations among Scheduled Castes (SC) in Karnataka was submitted to chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, thus marking the next step in a long-running demand by various sub-castes for equitable access to state benefits. According to the state government, it covers more than 10.7 million people from 2.724 million SC households. The panel's findings are expected to be presented before the state cabinet during its meeting on Thursday. (PTI) The report, prepared by a commission headed by retired high court judge HN Nagmohan Das, spans 1,766 pages and is based on a survey conducted across the state. According to the state government, it covers more than 10.7 million people from 2.724 million SC households. The panel's findings are expected to be presented before the state cabinet during its meeting on Thursday. 'There is a cabinet meeting on Thursday where we will present it and take a decision,' Siddaramaiah said after receiving the report in Bengaluru. He was accompanied by senior ministers including HC Mahadevappa, G Parameshwara, Priyank Kharge, Shivaraj Tangadagi, and RB Thimmapur. The panel's recommendations are expected to restructure the existing 17% reservation for SCs in public education and employment by distributing it among various sub-castes. These include the Dalit Left (primarily Madigas), Dalit Right (mainly Holeyas), as well as Lambanis, Bhovis, Korachas, Kormas, and several nomadic communities. 'This report, including survey data and appendices, is a significant milestone in the implementation of social justice,' Siddaramaiah wrote on social media after the meeting. The formation of the one-member panel came shortly after the Supreme Court upheld the legality of internal reservations under Article 14 of the Constitution. The ruling permitted states to create sub-quotas within broader caste groups, which allowed Karnataka to revisit a politically sensitive issue that has stirred debate for years. Speaking to the press after the report was handed over, justice Das said, 'After analysing the entire data, the commission has submitted its report to the Karnataka government. The report is about 1,766 pages. The survey was done through a mobile application.' He added, 'For a long time, it was my desire that the Scheduled Castes deserve internal reservation. I also recommended to the government that internal reservation must be provided.' The cabinet had approved the methodology for the survey on March 27, the day the interim report was submitted. The data collection was carried out from May 5 to July 6, reaching more than 93% of the state's estimated 11.6 million SC population. However, survey coverage within the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) area remained limited to 54%, despite extensions. Justice Das clarified that the report now lies entirely within the government's purview. 'This is the state government's property. I have no control over it. Its content and the decision to whether to accept it or reject it, rests entirely with the state government,' he said. While the full contents of the report have not been released, officials familiar with the matter said that it contains six primary recommendations. The submission of the report has triggered fresh pressure on the government to act, especially from Dalit Left organisations, which have announced a series of protests beginning August 11 if the recommendations are not accepted. Over the years, several groups, especially Madiga organisations, have argued that benefits under the existing quota system have largely gone to the Holeya community, leaving other sub-castes underrepresented in jobs, education, and politics, according to the leaders in the know of the development. The commission's report is expected to be measured against the 2012 AG Sadashiva Commission findings, which had recommended dividing the 17% SC quota into 6% for SC-Left, 5.5% for SC-Right, 3% for marginalised sub-castes, and 1% for others. That report, however, was never implemented. 'This is a historic report. The Justice Nagamohan Das Commission, which was tasked with studying internal reservation, has submitted its report to chief minister Siddaramaiah. For the first time in the country, such a report has been prepared in an organised and scientific manner,' said home minister G Parameshwara. He added, 'The commission used modern technology and submitted the report within two months. We don't yet know what is in the report. CM Siddaramaiah has directed that it be placed before the next Cabinet meeting. Only then will we know its contents, and discussions will follow regarding its implementation.' Parameshwara also noted, 'The report must be accepted by the Cabinet. It is not my decision to make, and even CM Siddaramaiah cannot decide alone.' Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi said: 'We are accepting the report. The CM has convened us to discuss accepting the report and the actions to be taken afterwards. The CM will decide on the pros and cons of the report. Further discussion will take place after the report is formally submitted.' Former minister H Anjaneya recalled the delay in implementing previous reports and said, 'We are curious and concerned about the report. The Sadashiva Commission had earlier recommended 6% reservation. The Madhuswamy Cabinet Sub-Committee had also proposed 6%. This commission is expected to recommend 6 to 7%. For the past 35 years, communities under the Dalit Left category, particularly safai karmacharis and labourers, have been hoping for justice.' Meanwhile, the state has temporarily halted recruitment processes to avoid legal complications before finalising its policy response to the recommendations.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fadnavis Sets Deadline for 5,000 MW Solar Push Under Flagship Agri Feeder Plan
Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis issued a clear directive to the state machinery: complete 5,000 MW of solar power projects under the ambitious 'Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0' by September 2025 . Calling it his 'dream initiative', the CM told officials to treat the issue with urgency and efficiency."No procedural laxity will be tolerated. Districts must adopt a timeline-bound approach and ensure coordinated execution at every level," Fadnavis, also energy minister, said during a high-level review in Mumbai. The meeting, held to address land availability and ancillary concerns for the solar feeder rollout, was attended by revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, renewable energy minister Atul Save, minister of state for energy Meghana Bordikar, chief secretary Rajesh Kumar, and top officials from energy, finance, and forest departments. Fadnavis underscored the need for seamless cooperation between local authorities and private players executing projects on both govt and private land. He urged district collectors to expedite no-objection certificates, land leasing, removal of encroachments, and remeasurement for timely approvals. "Obstacles faced by developers should be resolved on priority," he said. Responding to recurring issues, Fadnavis instructed police to act swiftly in cases of theft from solar project sites. He also directed that care be taken in densely populated areas, and that permissions for power lines crossing forest zones be granted without delay. "Guidelines related to trees must be strictly followed. Forest department must issue clearances on time, including for adjacent private lands," he added. Fadnavis' push comes amid growing emphasis on decentralised renewable energy infrastructure for rural power stability. District task forces have been told to closely monitor project progress. Among those attending were additional chief secretaries OP Gupta (finance) and Milind Mhaiskar (forest), secretary Shrikar Pardeshi, and heads of MahaTransco, MahaGenco, and the state's energy development agency. All district collectors and zilla parishad CEOs joined via video conferencing.
