OBC quota: SC directs Maha govt to submit data

One-liner: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra govt to submit data on Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to State Backward Classes Commission (SBCC) to examine its correctness and make recommendations on their representation in elections for the local bodies.

SC direction: The top court also directed the SBCC to submit the interim report to the authorities concerned in two weeks of receiving information from the state govt.

• The apex court clarified, however, that the list to be prepared by the state concerning socially and educationally backward classes would be independent of the census carried out by the Centre

Driving the news: This must also govern different states which are to proceed for elections of local govt, the top court said adding that until the triple test is complete, the seats will be treated as open category.

Data before panel: A senior advocate, appearing for Maharashtra, submitted that the state has some data on the basis of which reservation can be sustained. He said there are elections in March and data is already before the commission.

Looking forward: With regard to Madhya Pradesh, it has been stated that the EC has cancelled the Madhya Pradesh Panchayat Raj Evam Gram Swaraj (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 and assured that the new ordinance would be in accordance with apex court's directions.

Re-notify seats: The top court, on Dec 17, 2021, had directed the SECs of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to re-notify the seats reserved for the OBCs in the local bodies under the general category.

Background: In March last year, a three-judge bench of the SC had said the reservation in favour of the OBCs in the local bodies in Maharashtra can't exceed 50% of the total seats reserved for the SCs, STs and OBCs taken together.

Source: PTI