Uttar Pradesh Government Moves to Form OBC Commission for Panchayat Elections
The Uttar Pradesh state government has officially informed the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court that it is actively in the process of constituting an OBC Commission. This step is crucial for ensuring that the upcoming panchayat elections in the state are conducted in full compliance with the law.
High Court Disposes of PIL After Government Assurance
A bench comprising Justice Rajan Roy and Justice AK Chaudhary disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) after taking the state government's statement on record. The PIL had raised concerns about the delay in forming the OBC Commission, whose term had reportedly ended approximately five months ago.
The petitioners argued that if panchayat elections were held using the 2021 reservation list without a properly constituted commission, it would violate both the UP Panchayat Raj Act of 1947 and directives issued by the Supreme Court of India. They urged the bench to direct the state government to expedite the formation of the commission.
Government's Stance and Legal Proceedings
During the hearing, state counsel Isha Mitta apprised the court that the government itself is in the process of constituting the OBC Commission. The government further assured that panchayat polls would only be conducted after the commission is properly established.
Considering this commitment from the state, the bench decided to dispose of the PIL, recording the statement of the state lawyer for future reference. This move underscores the judiciary's role in ensuring electoral processes adhere to legal frameworks while acknowledging governmental efforts to rectify delays.
The formation of the OBC Commission is a critical step in determining reservation quotas for Other Backward Classes in local body elections, which impacts the democratic representation at the grassroots level in Uttar Pradesh.
