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Key Points

The OBC Commission has intervened in the standoff between Rajasthan government and State Election Commission. It has written to the EC stating it needs three months to complete a comprehensive backwardness study as mandated by the Supreme Court. This means panchayat elections cannot be held until the OBC ward reservations are finalized, pushing polls likely to December. The commission is currently conducting surveys and consultations to determine political representation for OBCs across local bodies.

Key Points: OBC Commission Steps In Citing SC Order on Rajasthan Panchayat Polls

  • OBC Commission conducting surveys of OBC families across Rajasthan
  • Data collection through consultations with institutions and political parties
  • Report expected by November 22 delaying elections until December
  • Wards for OBC reservations to be determined afresh as per SC order
  • State government extended commission's tenure by three months
  • Elections cannot proceed until OBC ward reservations are finalized
2 min read

OBC Commission steps in amid standoff between Raj govt, EC; cites SC order on panchayat polls

OBC Commission tells Rajasthan Election Commission it needs 3 months to complete backwardness study, delaying panchayat polls until December per Supreme Court order.

"The comprehensive report on OBC reservations at each administrative unit level is expected to be completed within three months - State OBC Commission"

Jaipur, Aug 22

Amid the ongoing tension between the Rajasthan government and the State Election Commission, the Commission for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has written to the Election Commission stating that, in accordance with the Supreme Court's order, it must conduct a comprehensive investigation into the nature and extent of backwardness among OBCs across various local bodies in the state.

Based on this study, the Commission will recommend the number of wards to be reserved for OBCs in each Panchayati Raj institutions and urban bodies in the state.

According to the letter, the Commission has already initiated its work.

Surveys of OBC families are underway, and data is being collected through consultations with institutions, political parties, and academic researchers.

The comprehensive report on OBC reservations at each administrative unit level is expected to be completed within three months.

The elections, as per officials, cannot proceed until the OBC wards are finalised.

As per the Supreme Court's directives, it is mandatory to determine OBC wards afresh through a dedicated process.

The State OBC Commission was established in accordance with these orders to assess and decide the political representation of OBCs in local governance structures.

The implications of the Commission's letter are being widely interpreted: since it will take three months to finalise the ward reservations, elections cannot be held during this period.

Although the State Election Commission has issued guidelines for panchayat elections, polls cannot proceed until the OBC reservation report is submitted and implemented, in compliance with the Supreme Court's orders.

The OBC Commission is expected to submit its report by November 22, which means elections can only be scheduled after that -- likely in December.

The Commission was originally formed in May with a three-month deadline to submit its report.

However, the state government extended its tenure by another three months just a day ago.

Meanwhile, officials said that this time, the wards reserved for OBCs in Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies will be determined afresh.

The State OBC Commission has been tasked with preparing a report specifying how many wards will be reserved for OBCs in each local body.

The Commission has told the State Election Commission that it will take three months to complete this report.

Earlier, Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore had also supported the idea of 'One State, One Election' on Thursday.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Three months delay in elections? This is affecting local governance. While the survey is important, why wasn't this started earlier? Government should have been more proactive.
Michael C
As an observer, it's interesting to see India's democratic processes evolving. Data-driven reservation policies could set a good precedent for other countries with diverse populations.
A
Anjali F
Hope they consult actual OBC communities and not just political parties. Ground reality is very different from what politicians claim. Proper representation matters! 🙏
S
Suresh O
The extension of tenure just a day before deadline raises questions. Was the commission not given proper resources? Or is this deliberate delay tactics?
N
Nisha Z
Good move! OBC communities in Rajasthan have been demanding proper representation for years. Better late than never. Hope this brings real change at grassroots level.

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