Supreme Court Cracks Down on Maharashtra Local Bodies with Excessive Quotas

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The Supreme Court has ordered the Maharashtra government to provide a list of local bodies where the total reservation exceeds the 50% benchmark. This move comes after the court took up a contempt petition against the state for violating a 2021 judgment that laid down the triple test for quotas in local bodies. The triple test requires states to conduct a scientific study, determine the quantum of reservation, and ensure that the total reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) does not exceed 50%. The court emphasized that the total quota in local bodies cannot exceed 50% and directed the state poll panel to ensure compliance. The state government has submitted that it is consulting with the poll panel and that elections are due for 246 municipal councils and 42 nagar panchayats on December 2. A senior advocate representing the state poll panel revealed that reservation has exceeded in 57 local bodies going to the polls on December 2, and promised to provide a comprehensive list by Friday. The court has allowed the elections to proceed, subject to final orders, and directed the state to comply with the 50% criteria and the Bantia Commission report. The Bantia Commission had recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in local bodies in 2022. The court will hear all parties in the matter on Friday, including OBC petitioners who have objected to the Bantia Commission's 50% formula. The petitioners have questioned the report, citing the absence of any caste census since 1931, which they say has led to an inaccurate count of OBCs. The court has agreed to hear all parties and emphasized the importance of not dividing society on caste lines.