Cabinet Doubles OBC Reservation in Local Bodies

• 29 Oct 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Chhattisgarh government increased OBC reservations, aimed at boosting representation across the state.

Key Points

• Increased OBC Reservation:
  • The government has doubled OBC reservations in panchayat and urban bodies from 25% to 50%, covering roles like district panchayat chairpersons and municipal mayors, while ensuring reservation aligns with population ratios.
• Exclusion Criteria:
  • This reservation does not apply to bodies with 50% or more SC/ST reservations.

Constitutional Provisions Governing Reservation in India

• Part XVI deals with reservation of SC and ST in Central and State legislatures.
• Article 15(4) and 16(4) of the Constitution enabled the State and Central Governments to reserve seats in government services for the members of the SC and ST.
• The Constitution was amended by the Constitution (77th Amendment) Act, 1995 and a new clause (4A) was inserted in Article 16 to enable the government to provide reservation in promotion.
• Later, clause (4A) was modified by the Constitution (85th Amendment) Act, 2001 to provide consequential seniority to SC and ST candidates promoted by giving reservation.
• Constitutional 81^st Amendment Act, 2000 inserted Article 16 (4 B) which enables the state to fill the unfilled vacancies of a year which are reserved for SCs/STs in the succeeding year, thereby nullifying the ceiling of fifty percent reservation on total number of vacancies of that year.
• Article 330 and 332 provides for specific representation through reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Parliament and in the State Legislative Assemblies respectively.
• Article 243D provides reservation of seats for SCs and STs in every Panchayat.
• Article 233T provides reservation of seats for SCs and STs in every Municipality.
• Article 335 of the constitution says that the claims of STs and STs shall be taken into consideration constituently with the maintenance of efficacy of the administration.