OBC outfits protest against drop in quota for local body election

Organisations representing other backward classes (OBCs) have launched an agitation against the Maharashtra government's decision to promulgate an ordinance stating that the community will get a reservation in rural local bodies based on their population in that district, in case the reservation quota breaches a 50% cap. Mahatma Phule Samata Parishad, National OBC Census Council and couple of organisations have argued that political representation of OBCs will be reduced in local body elections like gram panchayats and panchayat samitis.
These organisations questioned the timing of the promulgation of an ordinance as assembly poll is slated for October. The state government has amended the Maharashtra Gram Panchayat and Maharashtra Zilla Parishad & Panchayat Samiti Act 1961. Of 36 districts in the state, OBCs get 27% reservation in local election in 33 districts while 20% in the balance three districts.

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